aee_mental_performance

When we activate the productive parts of our brain, for example the right side of our prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is responsible for higher order thinking, we increase well-being through feelings of satisfaction and effectiveness thus increasing work performance, we become more engaged in what’s important to us, we become more self-aware, mentally flexible, self-controlled, and we show up confident, recovered, composed, and focused.

When we over activate the less productive parts of our brain such as the left side of our PFC we become more susceptible to unhealthy mental states and stress injuries such as unhealthy coping, burnout, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and increased potential for su***de. The path to these unhealthy states is revealed through performance breakdowns such as loss of concentration, poor decisions, poor sleep, excessive hyper-vigilance, over-reactivity, etc.

How do we do this? Through implementing tools and concepts such as connecting to values and setting goals, applying a growth mindset approach to personal and professional life, applying effective stress management tools to stay in your optimal zone of natural excellence (OZONE), communicating intentionally within our interactions on and off the job, and maintaining optimal motivation throughout. These concepts tap into the reward centers within the brain which sets us up to sustain a ready and resilient posture allowing us to lead our environment rather than our chaotic environment leading us.

STRESS your resilience.

Be Ready, Be Resilient!



➡️PURPOSE: To develop READY & RESILIENT individuals
➡️LOCATION: Denver Metro Area
➡️FOLLOW:

Regroup and Refocus on growing, learning, and improving. When you are growing and learning, it is highly unlikely to burn out from the negative effects of stress. Growth from stress is possible. This is the essence of taking a growth mindset approach to your life. Within regrouping and refocusing, we are taking time to ask ourselves: what and who else can I connect and engage with to take that next step to being better and not giving up (fixed mindset)? How and where can I implement rest and relaxation for better recovery? Am I seeking to escape (unhealthy) from stress or relax (healthy) so that I can adequately recover in preparation to perform again?

Growing and learning is associated with the parasympathetic branch (responsible for recovery) of our autonomic nervous system, similarly to connecting and engaging. This is where the regrouping happens which then allows us to refocus on what matters. With a new focus, we increase our flexibility to cope adaptively with the stressors we face and view these stressors more objectively. This is especially critical when we consider concepts like post-traumatic growth in high stress / high stakes professions where lives are on the line. When the stress piles up, take time to regroup and refocus and connect to what matters. This helps to eliminate distress and prepares us for consistently optimal performance as a responder, service-member, spouse, parent, etc. Tune-in to how you regroup and refocus.

Be Ready, Be Resilient!



➡️PURPOSE: To develop READY & RESILIENT individuals
➡️LOCATION: Denver Metro Area
➡️FOLLOW:

Another key component of switching off autopilot living is tuning into how you are contributing to creating a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging is an outcome of engaging appropriately to better manage stress collectively. Founded on the three concepts of safety (trust), vulnerability (shared risk), and purpose (shared story); a strong sense of belonging helps to increase our perceptions of social support and solidarity in high stress situations. In STRESSing our resilience, it is not only important to evaluate how we are contributing to creating a sense of belonging within our organization and families, but also how we are responding to the sense of belonging that exists.

Engaging with others also allows us to better manage our own response to various stressors in our lives by compelling us to see things from a different perspective. Why? Connecting and engaging taps into the parasympathetic system of our autonomic nervous system. More specifically the ventral vagus nerve. This is the same area that is activated when we are infants as we connect with caregivers and experience feelings of comfort and support. As we go through life and experience stressors we engage this area less and less and tend to carry more of the stress load on ourselves. As stress piles up, ensure you are engaging with others in a way that allows you to experience these similar feelings from your childhood.

Be Ready, Be Resilient!



➡️PURPOSE: To develop READY & RESILIENT individuals
➡️LOCATION: Denver Metro Area
➡️FOLLOW:

Happy Independence Day Everyone! Please enjoy good food and good company and be safe! God Bless America and all that it stands for.

Getting out into the nature helps us leave the old and gain the new. Old thoughts, old emotions, old habits, 90% of all of those repeat each day. Some of them might keep you away from getting where you desparately want. Empty your cup, fill it with the new. Lead yourself towards what matters. Every day.

What keeps you stuck? What would you replace it with? Let us know.

Want to discuss how to get unstuck from your unproductive thoughts, emotions, and habits? Let’s talk. Sign up for a FREE 30-minute CONSULTATION with us where we will dig deeper with you into your challenges and provide preliminary strategies towards an effective solution specific to you. Link in bio.

For AEE MENTAL PERFORMANCE ®
Barbora & Brian
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➡️PURPOSE: To develop READY & RESILIENT individuals
➡️LOCATION: Denver Metro Area
➡️FOLLOW:
➡️FREE BURNOUT QUIZ: Link in bio