Eastern Route 2024
We hope you found our sessions helpful, and as promised, we are providing some additional resources for you to study and reflect on. High performance is holistic, and the day aimed to show you how. Many can perform to a high level, yet very few can sustain and maintain it — this is true high performance. For example, our resilience is affected by how we process emotions and stress. Suppressing emotions means internalising stress, which can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and, in turn, impact both physical and mental health.
Resilience and wellbeing are complex and continually evolving with more research and opinions. Our present position could be summarised as, “If it’s not broken, don’t try and fix it.” In other words, if you feel you are handling life’s stressors well, sleeping soundly, and enjoying life and work, then perhaps no major changes are needed. However, if stressors sometimes overwhelm you, your work-life balance feels off, or your sleep quality is poor, then it might be worth making some adjustments.
Our objective is to provide you with a robustly researched and tested framework to explore your self-awareness, habits, and personal development. This framework is grounded in the neurophysiology of the ANS, which, when functioning well, helps us self-regulate and adapt to stress, building resilience. The chronic accumulation of stress or traumatic incidents can cause ANS dysregulation, leading to a reduced capacity to manage stress or adapt, which ultimately hinders performance at work and home, depleting your energy. The subtle effects of stress can show up as a relentless sense of always being on the go, leaving us stuck in the sympathetic branch of the nervous system for too long, which can result in unnecessary fatigue.
Nutrition also plays a vital role in psychological performance and mental health. The gut-brain axis allows for bidirectional communication, meaning that gut health can influence mental health and vice versa. Poor nutrition can negatively affect mood, clarity, focus, and energy levels, making people more susceptible to poor decisions.
A central message we emphasise is to reflect on the recovery side of the equation:
stress + recovery = resilience.
We will always experience stress, but with effective recovery, stress can be managed and harnessed for positive growth. The links below explain this concept in more detail.
If anyone would like recommendations for further in-depth reading on any of the topics discussed, please don't hesitate to ask. While no single resource captures everything we’ve covered today, we’ve compiled several helpful materials you can explore through the links below.
(Click on the buttons below to view)
Presentations
RESOURCES
Furthermore, here is are audio links to a nervous system/breathing exercise. This exercise can be incredibly useful in helping you protect/build your resilience because it encourages the ANS to work with stress. Please click on the arrow and wait for the audio to begin playing (may take a few seconds). Please read the instructions (click here to read) for the breathing exercise before listening to the download. It has important information about the nature of such techniques, the preparation you may find helpful and also safety guidelines for anyone who has experienced trauma/significant stress. If you have experienced significant trauma in your life then you may wish to get in touch to discuss how to proceed with the use of such techniques. We never discuss any such communication with your employer unless you wish us to i.e. we treat your request for support with complete confidentiality and respect.
Health Fair example from the Western Route
If you have any queries about the content or wish for any further information on anything that seems particularly relevant to you or your family please do not hesitate to email me nathan@7futures.com or jo@7futures.com
many thanks
Nathan
© 2012 7Futures Ltd. Registered Office: Laurel Drive, 7 George Fox Lane, Fenny Drayton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV13 6BE.Registered in England and Wales No. 7945762
© 2012 7Futures Ltd. 7Futures Ltd offers general information which is for educational purposes only. The information provided here is not a prescription system and is not intended to be a substitute for professional exercise or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be read as a personal recommendation for changes in lifestyle behaviour, nutrition, or exercise. 7Futures cannot be held responsible for any injury or illness relating to any such lifestyle or behavioural changes undertaken.