What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

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Table of Contents hide

1 Stress Causes Growth

2 Shake Up Your Workout Routine

3 Rethink Your Eating Schedule

4 Embrace the Elements: Cold and Heat

5 Stress Your Mind… In a Good Way,

6 Final Thoughts

Stress Causes Growth

At Slow Harvest Yoga, we revel in rest, softness, and slowness, but we also know that growth doesn’t happen through comfort alone. Today, we’re exploring a different kind of rejuvenation: good stress—the kind that wakes you up, builds resilience, and lets your body remind you that it’s designed to adapt and thrive.

This idea comes from stimulus response, a biological application that says small doses of stress can actually make you stronger. Think of it like lifting weights: challenge stimulates repair and growth. In the same way, a little physical, mental, or metabolic stress can spark transformation.

Think of it like this:

Lifting weights (a physical stressor) → builds stronger muscles
Brief cold exposure (a thermal stressor) → Boosts circulation and mood
Intermittent fasting (a metabolic stressor) → Improves insulin sensitivity and cellular repair

A little challenge makes us more robust. Here are a few good ways to invite this gentle stress into your life:

Shake Up Your Workout Routine

Doing the same fitness class or yoga sequence every day makes your body efficient, but also complacent. Adding variety re-engages your muscles, stimulates your brain, and reignites your motivation.

I’ve noticed this firsthand in the gym. When I stick to the same routine week after week, I stop seeing results. But the moment I change up the sets, the reps, or the type of movement, things shift—my muscles respond, and progress reappears.

Another benefit of changing things up? It’s easier on your body and joints. Repeating the same movements too often—especially as we age—can lead to overuse injuries. But when you vary your routine, you give different muscle groups a chance to rest and recover, which helps you stay strong and pain-free in the long run.

Try alternating strength training, walking, and, if I might suggest, pilates or hot yoga throughout your week. Add short, playful bursts of intensity—like a spontaneous dance session, 10-second sprints, or a hike in the woods (look for some higher elevations). Even reversing the order of your exercise routine or adding props can refresh your experience.

Movement is medicine, but variety is the secret ingredient. Your body thrives on new challenges. Change it up, and you’ll change how you feel.

Rethink Your Eating Schedule

Constant snacking is common, but giving your digestive system time to rest between meals can support energy, clarity, and hormonal balance. One gentle and empowering way to do this is through intermittent fasting.

Personally, I follow a simple routine: I eat between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. At first, my body protested a little—it grumbled before noon and tried to convince me it needed a little snack. But within a week, it adjusted beautifully. The hunger pangs settled, and I felt more in tune with my actual hunger cues. I’ve also found that intermittent fasting helps me shed a couple of pounds when I need to, without stress or deprivation. I might follow this routine for a couple of weeks to a couple of months, then change it up a little.

Intermittent fasting isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating space. When you give your body time to rest between meals, it has a chance to repair, reduce inflammation, and reset.

Always listen to your body and adjust as needed—especially if you’re dealing with hormone shifts, blood sugar sensitivities, or high stress. Gentleness is the goal.

Embrace the Elements: Cold and Heat

We’re wired for comfort, but stepping out of it—even briefly—can do wonders for the nervous system. Practices like cold exposure or heat therapy are simple ways to add a little hormetic stress to your life.

A cold shower or a quick dip in cold water can reduce inflammation and boost mental clarity.
Sauna sessions or even a hot bath can stimulate circulation, detoxification, and deep relaxation.

This isn’t about pushing your limits—it’s about meeting your edge and breathing through it. Just like on the mat.

Stress Your Mind… In a Good Way,

You’re never too late or too old to learn new things; now is the beginning of a deeper understanding.

Novelty is food for the brain. When you learn something new or take on a challenge that feels slightly out of reach, you activate your neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to grow and rewire itself.

I’m a forever-learner. I love reading the latest research on wellness, yoga, and the aging process or tuning into a podcast that sparks insight. It keeps my mind engaged, my spirit inspired, and my inner fire lit.

Try:

Listening to a podcast while walking
Taking a new class or workshop
Journaling with your non-dominant hand
Reading something outside your usual genre

Even small changes in mental stimulation keep your brain and your outlook feeling fresh and alive.

Final Thoughts

Adding a little stress to your life isn’t about pushing harder or proving anything. It’s about staying adaptable, engaged, and alive. It’s about reminding your body and mind that they’re not just surviving—they’re evolving and thriving

So go ahead, switch up your routine, try something new, feel discomfort, and notice what grows in its wake. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s resilience. And now is the perfect time to rediscover just how strong, capable, and vibrant you really are.