I don’t do well with stress - but I’m getting better  

I remember when I would get stressed and found that my gut was the main source of suffering. Some people get headaches, some have other symptoms - but one way or another - stress is impacting us physically and psychologically and very likely our relationships as well.

I have found that I’m getting better and see there are ways to help mitigate the damage of stress - because I do think cortisol is destructive.

I now find the best thing to do is to vocally acknowledge - I’m stressed. I then can ask - Why? It’s amazing what happens when you start to address the root cause of your stress. Do you not trust someone? Are you afraid of a bad outcome or losing something or someone you love? Many times our stresses are overreactions to things that never materialize but - tell that to my gut.

Now when I’m feeling stressed I know my body better to realize - I don’t digest my food as well when I’m stressed. So I eat lighter meals. I find that I need to get outside and walk - in the quiet. I find it helps me to pray - just speak my pain and believe a Superpower is listening. I’m currently reading a book about how we view God (Higher Power) impacts our own physiology and emotions. That line of thinking stems from the science that when we speak our story, pain and heartache to someone we believe is trustworthy - we receive so much more relief and benefit than if the person is cold or only taking our money to listen to us or in the spiritual realm - an angry schizophrenic god who may or may not like me today.

I want to encourage you to find someone you can build a trusting relationship with where you can vocalize whatever stress you are going through. It’s amazing the benefits we get from just feeling heard. I also find doing things like hot and cold water immersion or even sauna then cold plunge etc - does wonders to help me lower cortisol and find more peace. I literally feel my sauna is like a temple I can enter and be guaranteed to find peace - and lower stress.

My encouragement to you is to find that thing that is your go to. Don’t let stress ruminate and hurt you. I did that for too long and it hurt me.

Here are some more details on the science of it all.

• Stress affects both mind and body: Chronic psychological stress activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, elevating cortisol, which can impair immune function, digestion, and emotional regulation.

• Cortisol disrupts digestion: Elevated cortisol diverts blood flow away from the gut, slows gastric emptying, and can increase intestinal permeability, which may worsen gastrointestinal discomfort in some people.

• Trust and emotional disclosure reduce stress: Sharing personal struggles with a trusted, empathetic listener has been shown to lower physiological stress markers and improve emotional well-being.

• Perception of a higher power matters: Research suggests that individuals who perceive God or a higher power as loving and supportive report lower stress levels and better psychological outcomes than those who view God as punitive or unpredictable.

• Heat and cold exposure can modulate cortisol: Practices like sauna bathing and cold water immersion can trigger short-term stress responses followed by reductions in cortisol, promoting relaxation and improved mood.

  [References down below]

I’d love to hear about how you deal with stress. 👋

I write this newsletter each week because I feel my best when my body, mind and soul are all healthy. I want the same for you. If you feel like you’ve seen something valuable here, please do me a favor and forward this newsletter to a friend or let me know what you think by replying or texting me - (310) 879-8441

I think happy couples make the world go round. I also believe men can do more to lead and love in their lives. In light of that, I have found the following four books to be the 4 books every man should read and every woman should want their man to read.

• Good Energy - What makes for a Healthy Body and Mind?

• The Masculine in Relationship - How to Win the Trust, Lust and Devotion of a Strong Woman

• The Man’s Guide to Women - The Science of Happy Relationships

• The Desire of Ages - Leadership in a World of Cowards

Here are a few other links to things that have changed my life:

Whoop - Track your HRV and REM Sleep

Function Health - Optimize Your Health via 100+ BioMarkers

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

References

[1] McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904.

[2] Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374–381.

[3] Kemeny, M. E., et al. (2004). Psychological and immunological predictors of healthy aging: The importance of attachment security. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(1), 40–47.

[4] Ellison, C. G., et al. (2009). The perception of divine involvement and spiritual well-being. Review of Religious Research, 50(3), 300–318.

[5] Scoon, G. S., et al. (2007). Whole-body cryotherapy: effects on circulating catecholamines and cortisol levels in healthy volunteers. Journal of Thermal Biology, 32(8), 469–475.