Stress inoculation through deliberate exposure to uncomfortable states helps prevent the brain from being hijacked by an autonomic response.

“I think most people aren't familiar with those States and the more familiar we can become with those States and the fact that they are indeed transient the lower the probability we get hijacked by them”

Effective stress mitigation depends on finding a practice that works for the individual and performing it consistently rather than only during high-stress moments.

“It's got to be something where you stop what you're doing and do it virtually daily or every other day and spend 20, 30 minutes doing it. Whatever stress management technique you then do in those 20 minutes short of who knows what, you're already 80% of the way there”

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can lead to the accumulation of stubborn belly fat as a survival response.

“one of the things that cortisol does is lay down extra fat in the abdominal fat cells so that if we are unable to hunt or gather for some time we can digest that fat and stay alive until a food source becomes available”