What if the key to managing your stress is…more stress?

That is the finding of a growing body of biological research that indicates that short intermittent bouts of stress such as heat, exercise and dietary restriction can strengthen your ability to withstand chronic stress. 

Dosing yourself with bursts of pressure, called hormetic stress, can help your body and mind weather tough periods at work and home and help counter some of the unhealthy chronic stress caused by two years of pandemic.  

High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, which cranks your heart rate up and down, is the most familiar hormetic stressor. Other hormetic stress-inducing activities include cold showers or ice baths, and hot saunas.