By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
We often hear that stress is a bad thing. Often, this is true, as it takes a toll on our bodies and overall health, and if it is extreme and consistent it can lead to premature cell damage and the development of certain conditions. But did you know that certain short-term stress can actually be very healthy for us?
(photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)
According to health psychologist and longevity researcher Elissa Epel, incorporating “stress fitness,” or short bursts of stress, can improve the health and life span of your cells rather than wearing them out. She says that by doing so, you will essentially be training your body to be more resilient to stress in the future.
These bursts of stress fitness don’t have to be very long or intense. Epel offers the following suggestions for incorporating some into your weekly routine.
- High-intensity interval training
- Cold showers
- Sauna sessions
So while chronic stress can be damaging to your body, a little stress every now and then is good to help your body tolerate stress better down the road.
For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!