FOR MOST OF US, the word “stress” brings to mind the teeth-grinding agita that overtakes us in a traffic jam or during a panicky day at the office. We consider it our health enemy, right along with smoking, sitting, and sugar. But stress can be positive, say some wellness-minded types who embrace “hormetic stress.” Hor-what? It’s basically a way to push yourself out of your comfort zone in order to get stronger, biologically speaking. (Hormesis, from the Greek word for “excite,” refers to a process in which a small dose of something harmful may have a beneficial effect.) By gently subjecting the body to mild discomfort—cold, heat, spurts of intense activity, limited fasting—followed by recovery, we can promote resilience, metabolic health, and longevity. The idea is gaining popularity, which is…
