Prompt Cast
Understanding Stress: Different Forms and How to Respond
TLDR Dr. Alyssa Eppel explains the various forms of stress, from acute to chronic, and emphasizes the importance of our response to stress. By adopting a challenge mindset, engaging with moderate stressors, and using specific mental scripts, individuals can promote stress resilience and improve overall health.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Dr. Alyssa Eppel discusses the different forms of stress, including good and bad stress, acute and chronic stress, and emphasizes the importance of how we respond to stress rather than the stressors themselves.
07:07
Dr. Elissa Epel discusses the different forms of stress, including the importance of recognizing stress in the body and the need to turn off the stress response in order to prevent exhaustion and promote relaxation.
14:38
Stress can have different durations and impacts on the body, ranging from acute stress that helps us focus and problem solve, to daily stressors that require restoration, to chronic stress that can be managed through acceptance strategies and not take a toll on the body, with some individuals even aging biologically younger than their counterparts.
22:16
Engaging with moderate stressors and adopting a challenge response mindset can promote stress resilience and lead to slower aging and better overall health.
29:05
Using specific mental scripts and statements, individuals can shift from a threatened stress response to a challenge stress response, which can lead to better coping, recovery, and overall positive effects on the brain and body.
36:25
Stress can drive cravings, overeating, and weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, and interventions such as blocking the opioid system with drugs like naltrexone can help reduce compulsive eating and potentially aid in weight loss.
43:34
Improving nutrition is the key to solving the obesity epidemic as drugs alone cannot override the effects of a poor diet, and interventions such as mindful eating and increasing bodily stress through high-intensity interval training can help break the cycle of compulsive eating and improve insulin resistance and long-term weight loss.
50:46
Sugary drinks, including soda and energy drinks, are highly addictive due to their hedonic cycle and can be one of the worst things for our health, as liquid sugar goes to the brain quickly and is more addictive than sugary food.
57:27
Activating a sense of rebellion and showing the manipulation and suppression of data by the food industry can be an effective way to reduce eating disorders and change behavior towards healthier choices.
01:04:12
A mindfulness intervention during pregnancy improved insulin sensitivity, reduced glucose intolerance, and had long-term positive effects on mental health for mothers, as well as reducing obesity and illnesses in their babies.
01:11:31
Long-term studies have shown that meditation interventions can lead to slower biological aging, dampened inflammatory pathways, and boosts in telomerase activity, suggesting that continued meditation may slow the rate of aging.
01:18:37
Long-term studies have shown that meditation interventions can lead to slower biological aging, dampened inflammatory pathways, and boosts in telomerase activity, suggesting that continued meditation may slow the rate of aging.
01:25:38
Radical acceptance involves accepting unwanted situations that cannot be changed, which can help reduce chronic stress and improve well-being, and metaphors like "dropping the rope" can be helpful in letting go of the desire to control unsolvable problems.
01:33:57
The human mind has one set of circuits for understanding relationships, which can lead to the repetition compulsion and the desire to change the unchangeable, but accepting uncertainty and reframing it as the beauty of life can help build resilience and ease with the uncertain future.
01:41:49
Journaling and creating a coherent narrative around stressful circumstances can help individuals find meaning, resolution, and social identity, and it is critical for our ability to make sense of and respond to stress.
01:49:22
Short-term bursts of stress, whether through exercise or the Wim Hof method, can lead to improved mental health and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
01:57:00
Dr. Elissa Epel is thanked for her time and work, and listeners are encouraged to check out her books and support the podcast through subscriptions and reviews.
Categories:
Health & Fitness
Science
