ALLOSTATIC load

Written By Duane Nelson


2 IDEAS FROM ME

  • Allostasis is the predictive and adaptive process of optimization through change (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual).  An example is acclimatization for high altitude mountaineering or ultrarunning.  Healthy allostasis improves performance through acute stress and recovery.  Growth happens at the edge of our comfort zone.  Unhealthy allostasis becomes allostatic load (chonic stress) by repeated adaptation without recovery.  Allostatic load impacts are constant high cortisol > immune suppression, persistent high blood pressure > vasular damage, chronic inflammation > metabolic desease, sleep fragmentation, and mood/cognition degradation.

  • Allostasis keeps us alive through optimized performance. Allostatic load determines how well we live.

2 QUOTES FROM SAGES

  • “Allostatic load represents the wear and tear on the body that accumulates as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.”—Bruce McEwen

  • “What is adaptive in the short term can become maladaptive when repeatedly activated.”—Robert Sapolsky

1 QUESTION FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

  • Which of the following proven habits have helped you reduce allostatic load?

    • predictable routines (sleep timing)

    • small controllable wins (atomic habits)

    • deliberate downshifts for recovery

    • reflective journaling (CPA C=What you did to contribute to or create the situation, P=What you did to prevent or promote it, A=What action are you going to take next time to improve it?)

Namaste,

Duane Nelson

Duane Nelson

Ultrajourney Insight is an Anacortes Washington-based non-profit organization providing mindfulness & well-being services designed to ignite the adventure of a lifetime. The founder, Duane Nelson, is a writer, speaker, and teacher with four decades of parenting, wilderness, & international technology leadership. His professional insights come from chemical engineering and automation leadership at Philips, Intel, and Amazon. His adventure insights flow from ultramarathons, mountaineering, canyoneering, and adventure racing in Nepal, Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, British Columbia and Alberta.

https://ultrajourneyinsight.org
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