At this point, I think we’ve all gotten the memo that chronic stress is bad for us. We know that stress can mess with our gut health, our heart health and more.
BUT (and this is a big BUT)... did you know that some forms of “good” stress can actually make you not just healthier, but stronger and more resilient to chronic stress?
It’s kind of a mind-blowing proposition and in this episode of The Allsorts Podcast, I’m talking with Dr Sharon Bergquist MD about exactly what good stress is, and how it can make you a heck of a lot healthier, when applied intelligently.
Dr Bergquist is the author of a brand new book, The Stress Paradox, where she outlines the science of hormesis: exactly how - and what kinds of - good stress can influence cellular health and how that underlies all sorts of improvements in metabolism and resistance to chronic stress and disease.
I know this sounds like an outlandish internet concept - but one of the reasons why I love Dr Bergquist’s work so much is that it is deeply evidence-based and grounded in well-researched and agreed upon wellness practices like movement and plant-based nutrition.
There is something for everyone in this podcast, from the wannabe biohacker to the deep science nerd to the back to basics wellness skeptic!
About Dr Sharon Bergquist:
Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD, is an award-winning Yale and Harvard-trained physician, innovative healthcare leader, and visionary researcher renowned for spearheading a science-based approach to applying lifestyle as medicine.
She has helped lead numerous clinical trials, including the Emory Healthy Aging Study and the NIH funded Emory Healthy Brain Study. She hosts The Whole Health Cure podcast and her popular Ted-Ed video on how stress affects the body has been viewed over eight million times and translated to 35 languages.
On this episode we chat about:
Why this Harvard-trained internal medicine doctor shifted towards lifestyle medicine
The difference between chronic, continuous stress and intermittent, positive stress
How a cycle of stress and recovery helps build stronger, more resilient cells
A doctor’s evidence-based take on adrenal fatigue
The five good stressors to increase in your life
Why antioxidant supplements are probably not as good as eating plants
Specific phytochemicals you want to eat more of - and where to find them
Is the sauna/cold plunge, beloved by Scandiavians, actually good stress?
How to leverage cross-adaptation to build the good stress plan that works for you
What does the research say about intermittent fasting and cellular health?
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Connect with Dr Sharon
Grab a copy of Dr Sharon’s new book, The Stress Paradox
Website: https://drsharonbergquist.com/
Instagram: @thegoodstressdoctor