The Relationship of One Ecological Hypothesis to a Hypothesis of Living a Human Life.

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis is a theory in ecology that suggests that ecosystems with moderate levels of disturbance are more diverse and stable than those with low or high levels of disturbance. This theory posits that moderate disturbance allows for a balance between competitive exclusion, where dominant species eliminate others, and complete homogenization, where all species are equally distributed.  

The same idea of moderate disturbance can be applied to personal growth and physical strength. Overcoming personal challenges and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones can be seen as a form of moderate disturbance. If we never challenge ourselves, we may become stagnant and fail to grow. On the other hand, if we constantly take on extreme challenges, we may burn out or injure ourselves.

Similarly, when it comes to exercise, moderate levels of physical exertion can lead to improved physical strength and overall health, while excessive or insufficient levels of exercise can lead to injury or a lack of progress. In both cases, the key is to find the right balance of challenge and recovery in order to achieve optimal growth and development.  Don't sell yourself short but don't kill yourself in the process.  Life has a way of bringing on one challenge after another, step up and do your best everytime and you will grow and benefit from those experiences.

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis also suggests that too much or too little disturbance can lead to instability and a lack of diversity. In personal growth and exercise, this can be seen in the form of burnout or injury from pushing ourselves too hard, or a lack of progress and motivation from not challenging ourselves enough. Therefore, it's important to find a balance that allows for growth and development without causing harm or stagnation.