THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ADAPTATION TO STRESS: Understanding Stress, Recovery & Human Resilience | A Conversation with Dr. Beata Kis (Episode 90) What happens when the drive to achieve begins to compromise our well-being? How do we recognize when our bodies are asking us to slow down? And can we learn to experience rest and relaxation without feeling that we should always be doing more? In this episode of The PhD Journey Unplugged, I welcome Dr. Beata Kis, physician, author, speaker, and educator, for a thoughtful conversation about burnout, the nervous system, recovery, resilience, and the importance of reconnecting with ourselves. Drawing upon her medical background and personal experience with burnout, Dr. Kis shares how years of professional responsibilities, caregiving, and striving to meet expectations led her to reconsider the relationship between achievement and well-being. Together, we explore how stress can affect our physical and emotional health, why recognizing the body's signals matters, and how developing a healthier relationship with rest may support sustainable human performance. Our conversation also explores Dr. Kis's personal experiences with Yin Yoga, sound baths, and other relaxation practices, along with the importance of approaching recovery with patience and self-compassion. One of the most meaningful reflections from our conversation is her reminder: “Meet with your body exactly where that body is, because the body carries us the entire life.” — Dr. Beata Kis We also consider an important question: Are we so focused on everything we need to accomplish that we sometimes lose sight of what brings us joy, meaning, and fulfillment? Toward the end of our conversation, Dr. Kis introduces a beautiful distinction between the demands of our daily to-do lists and what she calls the wish list from the heart. Perhaps living well is not simply about achieving more. Perhaps it is also about learning when to slow down, listen, recover, and reconnect with what matters most. KEY MOMENTS & REFLECTIONS 04:46 — Body Awareness: Learning to listen to our bodies and emotions 30:18 — Achievement: Understanding how achievement influences our energy 38:39 — Self-Care: The importance of filling our own cup 49:17 — Recovery: Meeting our bodies where they are 56:37 — Resilience: Finding balance between hard work and relaxation 58:40 — The Nervous System: Understanding its protective role 1:03:32 — Reconnection & Purpose: The to-do list and the wish list from the heart A FINAL REFLECTION As an endurance athlete and researcher in health and human performance, I often explore the relationship between pushing ourselves to achieve and allowing ourselves sufficient time to recover. During our conversation, I shared: “We push. We climb mountains. We want to achieve great things, but rest and recovery are so important to get stronger and to stay healthy.” This episode invites us to think differently about resilience—not simply as the ability to keep going, but also as the ability to recognize when we need rest. My sincere gratitude to Dr. Beata Kis for sharing her experiences, perspectives, and insights. The PhD Journey Unplugged Exploring health, human performance, motivation, resilience, and the journey toward living well. Dr. Sarah Gordon Founder & Host, The PhD Journey Unplugged "Strength for the Journey Within." Disclaimer: The views and health-related perspectives expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or podcast. This episode is intended for general educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Individual experiences with relaxation and complementary practices should not be interpreted as evidence of established clinical effectiveness. Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding personal health decisions.
