Most interest in the Hunter-Gatherers centers on their diet, which has sparked controversy over whether it was meat- or plant-based. Putting that debate aside for now, I would like to suggest that maybe the primary evolutionary gift from the Hunter-Gatherers lies not in the foods they ate but in the resilience required to survive daily in harsh, unpredictable situations, such as:
· Hunger and feast cycles
· Physical exertion
· Cognitive demands
· Environmental extremes
Our ancestors didn’t just survive—they thrived and evolved under conditions that were far more difficult than ours. What we inherit from them is not just biology but also a guideto living well under stress. By incorporating plant-rich, fiber-filled diets and engaging in brief, intentional lifestyle challenges, we can unlock the same strength, adaptability, and vitality that helped our ancestors endure.
In a world engineered for comfort, we should consciously accept and enjoy challengesbecause resilience is not just a trait of the past — it’s a template for wellness in the future.
We shouldn’t take lightly the harm that chronic stress can inflict on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. This advice also applies to anyone who believes that following a healthy diet of whole, plant-based foods, along with healthy lifestyle practices, is sufficient for achieving longevity and wellness. The truth is that the havoc wreaked on our bodies and minds by long-term stress hormones, like cortisol, can erase the benefits we expect from our healthy lifestyle choices.
Although stress has always been a part of our lives, a “perfect storm” of chronic stress levels reached new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to this day, albeit for different reasons. Check out the following comparisons:
1) HEALTH
Pandemic: Fear of catching COVID-19, overwhelmed hospitals, loved ones put at risk
Today: Anxiety about new health threats, chronic illness, widespread mental health struggles
2) SOCIAL
Pandemic: Isolation from lockdowns, canceled gatherings, loneliness
Today: Rising loneliness despite connectivity, political division, caregiving pressures
3) ECONOMIC/WORK
Pandemic: Job losses, business shutdowns, frontline worker burnout
Today: Inflation, unstable job markets, rising living costs, and retirement insecurity
4) UNCERTAINTY
Pandemic: Conflicting information, doubts about vaccines, unclear future timeline
Today: Ongoing instability from wars, climate change, and rapid tech shifts
5) DAILY LIFE
Pandemic: School closures, supply shortages, disrupted routines
Today: Digital overload, blurred work–life boundaries, constant information flow
6) NATURE OF STRESS
Pandemic: Chronic, overlapping, complex to escape
Today: Persistent, global, driven by complexity and uncertainty
Although we are aware that long-term stress is harmful, in The Stress Paradox, Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist reminds us that ‘good’ stress—known as eustress—is not only harmless, but also essential. The key is short, manageable challenges followed by recovery. Done right, eustress strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, and boosts resilience, especially as we age. Dr. Bergquist goes on to say, “My aim is to show you that you can incorporate mild to moderate ‘good’ stress even if you are feeling mentally and physically overwhelmed. It can help you feel calmer, more joyful, energetic, and resilient to emotional and physical illness. It’s a new paradigm for becoming a healthier, happier, and stronger version of yourself by adding new behaviors that push you out of your comfort zone.”
Bergquist identifies several types of healthy stress that, in small doses, activate the body’s repair systems: intense movement, temperature shifts, fasting, plant-based phytochemicals, and mental challenges. Each sends a signal to adapt, rebuild, and improve. For older adults, the goal is not “more stress” but better stress—gentle but regular challenges.
I’ve taken these principles and blended them with my own personal practices, including Pickleball, Breathholds and Breathwork, Intermittent Fasting, Hot and Cold Therapy, Dead hangs, Inversion Table, and Mental Activities. These have kept me fit, flexible, and mentally engaged well into my eighties. In follow-up posts, I will cover each of these activities.
