Wellness is a verb, not a noun. If you don't do things to be well, your body will not be prepared for the challenges you face.
— Dr. Jason Wersland, Chief Wellness Officer at Therabody
We are often told that the key to stress management is exercise, meditation, getting a good night's sleep...the list goes on.
But it's important to remember that, just like with wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to stress.
As Dr. Jason Wersland recently shared with us, if you check in with yourself, you'll start to learn what your body needs. Here are some of the other things we learned when we sat down with him to get the hon.
It seems that almost every day there is another story about how to manage stress. How do you get rid of all the self-care clutter?
A lot of people will say drink this do that exercise five times a week, but it all starts with you. Until you stop and start asking yourself what your needs are, all of these suggestions may be superfluous, illusory, or band-aid—potentially distracting from tuning in to what you need most.
How has your personal philosophy around wellness helped you better manage your stress?
What I've learned is that when your body is doing well, it's better equipped to handle life's unexpected stressors.
If you are not feeling well, it is difficult for your body to perform at high speeds. Prevention is wellness - you are building your body to do the things you want to do in life.
For me, wellness is a verb, not a noun. If you're not doing things to feel well — whether that's reading, meditating, eating right, and exercising — your body won't be as prepared as it can be for the challenges you face.
For many people, starting their own wellness journey is the most confusing part. Do you have any advice on how to get started?
Take 2 minutes twice a day and connect with yourself - this is essential to being healthy.
My secret tip: Every day, get up 30 minutes earlier than usual and write down your healthy intentions. For me, intention is everything - if we are not first clear with ourselves about what we want, we will not be able to find the solutions that are best for us.
What can you tell us about stress and how it relates to the body?
Your body has adaptive ways of masking tension in certain areas which is why rhythm therapy is so powerful. It's a way to connect with your body and take the time to find spots you may not have known held stress. The shoulders and neck are common areas where we store tension, but it can hide in unexpected places, too, like your hip flexors and shins.
An easy way to find out if you are unconsciously experiencing stress is to perform a full body scan with
Theragun.
Spend 2 minutes twice a day starting at your feet and working your way to one side of your body. You are bound to find some unexpected trouble spots.
Are there any Theragon protocols you use to help you relieve stress?
When you have a stressful experience, sympathetic neurological symptoms kick in, stimulating a fight-and-flight response and a cascade of cortisol — making things feel very, very real. On the contrary, the parasympathetic nervous system is what helps the body to relax.
My traps are on the left and right 1 minute each. theragun i like to use
Then around my chest for 30 seconds with a super soft attachment while taking big breaths. The nerves that regulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems extend from the spinal cord, so by targeting these areas, you are talking to both systems, stopping empathy and circulation.
You mentioned taking breaths. How is breathing related to stress?
Think about when babies cry - they sniff frequently. They don't do it on purpose - it's just what the body does to try to calm down. Because when you inhale, you open up the alveoli — the tiny air sacs in your lungs — allowing more oxygen to enter and reach your brain.
Instead of taking one deep breath, which targets the chest only, I like to take two quick double breaths in through my nose in a quick sequence, then a slow exhalation through my mouth. This allows for a fuller and deeper breath.
Better yet, do it while walking. Walking is a simple and powerful thing you can do to help manage stress.
By moving your body, you not only stimulate endorphins - our body's natural happiness substance - but also give your brain the perception that you are moving forward, leaving PR figuratively. I like to do the double breathing exercise for 2 minutes a day, twice a day, even if I don't feel like get nervous.
It is very interesting to do breathing every day, even if you do not feel stress. why is that?
For me, it's the compounding factor to doing it over and over again. Getting results requires consistency and perseverance. The more I do this, the easier it will be for me to reach out at times when I really need to — like when I'm feeling stressed.
It is very interesting to do breathing every day, even if you do not feel stress. why is that?
For me, it's the compounding factor to doing it over and over again. Getting results takes consistency and perseverance, and the more I do that the easier it is for me to reach out at the times when I really need to — like when I'm feeling stressed.
I think it's important to remember that success at anything may not happen the first time. When I say wellness is an action, I'm talking about building positive habits through consistency—investing time in yourself so you can tune into your body faster and start getting the answers you need.
PRO tips
Whether you're targeting stress or taking a moment to pause amidst a hectic day, these routines are a simple way to help you feel balanced, more connected to your body, and, over time, lit.
Dr. Jason Theragon's Stress Protocol
Sweep the Theragun for 1 minute on the left trap, followed by 1 minute on the right trap, then 30 seconds along your chest with the ultra-soft attachment. Repeat twice a day.
Double breathing exercise by Dr. Jason
In a seated position, get comfortable and put your hands on your knees. Close your eyes and take two breaths in quick sequence through your nose, hold for 2 seconds, then exhale through your mouth. Repeat five times, twice a day.