Nature is our original home, and our growing disconnection from it is affecting our health and happiness in profound ways. We evolved in relationship with the natural world, and the rapid shift to indoor, technology-dominated lifestyles is creating a "nature deficit disorder" with physical, mental, and spiritual consequences.

• The average American spends 93% of life indoors while children today spend less than 7 minutes in unstructured outdoor play daily
• Nature exposure measurably decreases stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and boosts immune function within just 15-20 minutes
• Trees release compounds called phytoncides that increase our natural killer cells when inhaled, with effects lasting up to 30 days
• Walking in natural settings reduces rumination and negative thought patterns associated with depression and anxiety
• Natural environments provide "attention restoration," allowing our directed attention to replenish after cognitive fatigue
• Experiences of awe in nature reduce inflammatory compounds linked to depression while expanding perception of time
• Simple practices like forest bathing, sensory immersion, threshold sitting, and even 5-minute nature pauses provide significant benefits
• Urban nature connection is possible through noticing plants growing through sidewalks, cloud patterns, and bringing natural elements indoors
• The busier and more urban your life, the more essential nature connection becomes for wellbeing

If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to share it with your friends and family and consider donating at the link in the description. Your support helps us bring you the Kore Kast every week. For more resources, visit www.kore-fit.com and follow us on Instagram at kore_fitness_az.

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We explore intermittent fasting beyond the hype, examining this popular eating pattern that focuses on when you eat rather than what you eat. Historical context, scientific mechanisms, and evidence-based benefits reveal why this ancient practice is gaining modern attention.

• Different intermittent fasting methods including 16:8, 5:2, eat-stop-eat, and alternate day fasting
• How the body shifts from using glucose to burning fat during fasting periods
• The process of autophagy - your body's cellular cleaning program that ramps up during fasting
• Evidence-based benefits for weight management and metabolic health
• Common myths debunked including concerns about muscle loss and metabolism damage
• Who should consider intermittent fasting and who should absolutely avoid it
• Practical implementation tips from starting gradually to managing hunger
• Personal experiences and varied results from different practitioners

If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it with friends and family, and consider donating at the link in the description. Visit our website at www.kore-fit.com and follow us on Instagram @korefitness_AZ to join our community.

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Kris Harris kicks off season four of the Kore Kast with an episode tackling burnout recovery through the lens of cortisol regulation and strategic exercise. This episode explores why high-intensity workouts might worsen burnout while gentle movement can accelerate healing by rebalancing stress hormone patterns.

• Burnout is a state of chronic stress recognized by the WHO with physical, mental, and emotional symptoms affecting 77% of professionals
• Cortisol dysregulation is central to burnout – initially overproduced, then potentially becoming blunted as the HPA axis becomes exhausted
• High-intensity exercise creates significant cortisol spikes that can overwhelm an already compromised stress response system
• Gentle movement like walking, restorative yoga, and tai chi activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps recalibrate cortisol rhythms
• Recovery exercise should be timed strategically – mid-morning is optimal for most, avoiding workouts within three hours of bedtime
• Supporting lifestyle factors include quality sleep, anti-inflammatory nutrition, mindfulness practices, social connection, and nature exposure
• Common recovery mistakes include the "more-is-better" approach to exercise and exercising with a punishment mindset
• Research shows moderate-intensity, time-restricted exercise programs are most effective for burnout recovery through cortisol management

Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Kore Kast. If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to share it with your friends and family and, if you're feeling generous, consider donating at the link provided in the description. For more resources, visit our website at www.kore-fit.com and follow us on Instagram at korefitness_az.

Support the show

https://www.kore-fit.com