Deep Health Stress and Recovery
By: Michael Beiter
Through my sleep, stress management, and recovery certification, I gained an understanding of the six dimensions of life that contribute to 'deep health.' Initially, I was familiar with only three dimensions, namely social, physical, and emotional health. However, as I progressed through the course, I realized that there was much more to it.
For several years, I have been supporting my clients in dealing with stressors that stem from isolation, injury, illness, fear, and grief. I facilitated conversations that fostered deep human connections, which helped us feel less alone. But, I realized that this was just one aspect of deep health.
Seven years ago, I started prioritizing exercise, including more cardio, stretching, and reducing weights. The transformation in my body and mind was remarkable. This experience has enabled me to coach my clients with the 'minimum effective dose,' guiding our decision-making, and many of them have been injury and illness-free for years.
However, I was also guilty of repressing my emotions, similar to most men. It wasn't until I caused damage that I learned how to recognize, express, and share my feelings. Now, helping others identify their emotions and manage them is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
I realized that I was less familiar with the existential, mental, and environmental stressors that contribute to deep health. However, I discovered that I had already been helping people with these issues, and now I'm learning more ways to address them.
Existential stress is on the rise with the decline of religion, nationalism, and family values. We must counter this by devoting time to philosophy, reflecting with others, and engaging in meaningful work that helps us overcome hopelessness and mortality issues.
Mental health concerns are also increasing, and we need to alternate between deep work and leisure periods, sharpen our critical thinking skills, and create things. Decision fatigue, cognitive overload, and thought distortions can prevent us from enjoying life and relaxing.
As I continue to learn more about stress and how to manage it, I aspire to help more people achieve deep health. It's a journey that requires effort and dedication, but the rewards are immense.
Images from Precision Nutrition, L1 SSR Cert Study
