Stress
When people ask me what the number one risk factor is for Disease X, my usual answer the majority of the time is Stress.
Now there are two main type of stresses I look at.
1- Acute short term stresses. These are what humans have been dealing with throughout evolution. Acute stresses that resolve quickly are not necessarily harmful to us, as long as the stress is not a Saber tooth tiger chasing us successfully for its next meal. Other short term stresses could be a 30 minute exercise class at the gym.
2- Chronic Stress on the other hand is NOT what we have evolved to deal with. Examples include chronic malnutrition or social/work stress that we take home with us. These Chronic unrelenting stresses take a toll on us. Just take a look at before and after pics of Presidents and see how much quicker they appear to have aged.
So what to do?
Well, I prefer to just wave my magic wand and make stress disappear. Unfortunately the wand frequently runs out of batteries. The replacement batteries just tripled in cost due to the new tariffs, so I will need to find a new way to liberate from Chronic stress.
My way to reduce stress.
I just do the best I can every day and deal with it. I can’t do better than my best so that will just have to do.
I also ask myself what is the worst that can happen if I do or do not do something. If the worst is not so bad then perhaps I take my chances. If the worst sounds bad, I continue the thought experiment and ask how I can resolve the new issue or change course and somehow make a win out of it. In other words, keep critically thinking. You will find a way.
How do others handle stress?
Below are some pics about stress which perhaps will give you some ideas.
I try to mainly associate with certain types of people and look for green flags.
I define my luxuries different than most others.
I switched from an Ego Self to a Higher Self.
I put this pic last as I found it pretty powerful and a great stress reducer. Not everything is a fight or a competition. When you learn to live your life just doing your best and not purposely hurting anyone in the process, stress reduces.
What do you find is your best stress reducer?
Love your perspective on different types of stress, Dr. Horvitz! I'd add another angle: strategically increasing short-term acute stress can actually build resilience against chronic stress. Two recent books explore this "stress paradox" brilliantly: Dr. Sharon Bergquist's "The Stress Paradox" and Jeff Krasno's "Good Stress" both reveal how our modern comfort is undermining our biology. By deliberately engaging with beneficial stressors (cold exposure, fasting, intense exercise bursts, even eating more plant "toxins"), we can activate our body's natural repair mechanisms and potentially prevent the chronic diseases you mentioned. Perhaps the magic wand for stress isn't making it disappear—it's transforming it into a powerful ally!
https://www.amazon.com/Stress-Paradox-Longer-Healthier-Happier/dp/006334596X
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Stress-Health-Benefits-Things/dp/1401993958
What a great post! Sometimes we all need a reminder to just go back to basics and be the best we can be. Be kind, positive, laugh, love, and breathe.........