Hormesis
The equilibrium of stress. Stress, in moderation, builds strength.
Stress = Strength = Antifragility
Hormetic Principles
I. KETOSIS
a. How = burn fat for energy
Fast
Carnivore/Paleo diet (low-carb high-fat)
b. Why
Freedom from food + carbohydrates
Metabolic stress
Improved mental and physical performance
II. BREATH
a. How = breath-hold
Wim Hof Method
Apnea Table (free-diving)
b. Why
Freedom from air
Autonomic nervous system stress (fight or flight response)
Control reaction to stressful stimuli; mind over matter
III. COLD
a. How = cold exposure
Cold swim/bath
Winter walks in minimal clothing
Cold shower
b. Why
Freedom from warmth
Cardiovascular stress
Fight or Flight response -> immune system, mental and physical performance
IV. EXERCISE
a. How = physical activity
Resistance training
Cardio
Martial arts
Natural activity -> swim, climb, etc.
b. Why
Freedom from physical assistance
Muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular stress
Improved mental and physical fortitude
V. MEDITATION
a. How = be present
Isolation in room or nature
Focus on experience; detach from thoughts (ego)
b. Why
Detaches experience from ego -> self-awareness
Improves mental health -> thoughts != experience
Channel will -> concentration/focus demands strength
Further Reading
For a deeper dive into Hormesis, read this article:
Elimination
Health is less about what we do than what we do not do.
Health = 80% avoidance + 20% activity
Elimination > Addition
Elimination Principles
I. FAST
Freedom from food
Optimize mind and body
Burning fat is efficient -> improves cardiovascular performance
Autophagy -> body cleans out waste in absence of food
“Food to fuel, fast to repair”
II. BREATH-HOLD
Freedom from air
Control breath -> control mind
Breath rate controls heart rate, brain waves, everything
Empties the mind, stimulates the body
Free-diving optimizes our body to survive without air
III. MEDITATE
Freedom from ego
Separate mind from ego
Self-awareness through reflection of ego
Focus in absence of thought
Channel will power by practicing controlling awareness
Takeaways
Occam’s Razor, Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS), Nature.
The keys to sovereign health are simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple.
It requires more discipline than knowledge, as sovereign health demands that the individual care for himself. Treat your mind, body, and soul as you would your child, your wealth, your family, your career.
Start somewhere, anywhere. It will take time to embrace the principles of hormesis and elimination, but with diligence you will achieve sovereign health. Personally, I began with exercise, then fasting, then Carnivore diet, then breath-holding. Pick one, master it, then add another one.
Pax Vobiscum.