Hormetic stress is a form of positive stress that builds resilience within the body.
This article will explain why it is good for you and considerations for increasing your hormesis.
This is an example of hormetic stress at work.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
When thinking of stress, you may consider different forms of physical stress.
Consider how you feel when yourefrustrated.
You may start to feel stressed out, evidenced by tension in your body orirritability.
However, there can be such a thing as positive frustration.
Think about how you feel when learning something new for the first time.
You may find yourself both engaged and momentarily irritated at times.
Such frustration can be a form of hormetic stress.
Hormetic stress can also be as simple as the deep contemplation that comes with figuring out a game.
In fact, a 2018 study found that video games could contribute to a healthieragingprocess.
Why Is Hormetic Stress Good For You?
When your body is exposed to just the right amount of stress, you develop resilience.
In developing resilience, you begin to create a greaterdistress tolerance.
In turn, this can lead to longevity and vitality throughout the lifespan.
Examples of Hormetic Stress
There are many mainstream examples of engaging in hormetic stress.
First, lets focus on short-term physical examples.
Many forms of popularizedexercisecount as a form of hormetic stress, specifically, high-intensity interval training.
Engaging in these alternating intervals makes your body very dysregulated and fatigued.
Another example is extreme temperature changes, like sitting in a sauna or taking an ice bath.
Crosswords, math problems, and games are all forms of nonphysical hormetic stress.
Each of these involves a level of deepconcentrationand even annoyance.
Think back to the last time you were stumped on a crossword puzzle.
You likely became mildly flustered and reasonably irritated.
You might have wanted to quit but couldnt let the issue go.
When you solved the puzzle, you probably felt a wave of relief.
This relief isn’t too different than what you may feel in between sets of high-intensity exercise.
It may be taxing in the moment, but it can lead to increased resilience.
First, be aware of any current health issues.
This is essential for your safety and well-being.
Second, it is worth looking at where youre already experiencing toxic stress.
For example, are you consistentlyworking long hours?
Are you experiencing hardships that could usesome support from a therapist?
Reach out to acrisis hotlineor call 911 if you’re experiencing an emergency.
2018;5:8. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00008
