Not all stress is bad. Acute stress can be good for us. Chronic stress is the problem. Imagine this: acute stress is like being chased by a bear. Chronic stress is like living with the bear in your cave.
Acute Stress Is Designed to Help You Survive
When you’re under threat—like running from a bear—your body shifts into survival mode. It sends blood and energy to your muscles and brain. You think faster. You run harder. You survive.
To do this, your body pulls resources away from systems that are not urgent in that moment. Your digestion slows. Your immune system gets paused. Once the danger passes (let’s say the bear eats your slower mate), your body resets. Everything returns to normal.
The Problem Starts When the Danger Never Ends
But what happens when the threat doesn’t go away? You’re not running anymore, but your body still acts like you are. You stay tense. Your stress hormones remain high. Your digestion and immune function stay suppressed.
This is what chronic stress looks like. And it’s more common than we realise. You might notice things like loss of appetite, gut issues, constant colds, or feeling tired but wired all the time. Now you know why.
The Irony: Acute Stress Can Help Reset Chronic Stress
Here’s the twist: one of the best ways to manage chronic stress is through short, controlled bursts of acute stress. Exercise is the perfect example. It mimics the fight-or-flight response, helping your body burn off stress hormones and return to balance.
Stillness also plays an important role. Activities like meditation, sleep, or deep breathing give your nervous system permission to relax. Both movement and stillness help bring you back to centre.
Factory Reset Mode
In my last blog, I wrote about hitting “factory reset” on myself. That included regular doses of exercise and moments of stillness. It became a rhythm: challenge and rest. That’s what helps me feel clear and level.
This Is the Way
If you feel like the bear is still in your cave, it’s time to reset. Set aside time to exercise regularly and to be still. These moments—of movement and of rest—help your body recover and return to balance.
In the words of the Mandalorians, "This is the way."
If finding time to reset feels hard, start small. A consistent daily ritual can make a real difference. Our Monk Cacao Superfood Wellness Blend is designed to support exactly that—helping you nourish your body and mind with something that’s both healthy and genuinely enjoyable. And to help you get started, enjoy 15% off with the code RESET15 at checkout. But be quick—it’s only valid until 19 April 2025. Sometimes, the simplest habits make the biggest impact.