Using brain science to break the damaging cycle of endless hustle
We live in a time of four major health epidemics.
25% of our population has a diagnosed sleeping disorder. 58% of Canadians are overweight or obese. 85% of Canadians don't get enough physical activity to prevent chronic disease. One in five Canadians – that’s 20% of the population – experience mental health challenges so severe they will access the medical system at some point this year. And at least 5% of the population of business employees and leaders are in a functional crisis.
In many ways, these epidemics are a side effect of an underlying problem: we are stuck in go mode. We drive ourselves day and night. We never rest. We never step back. We push and push and push.
Why is this a problem? Because that’s not how the brain works. It’s not how the body works. It’s not how performance works. And it’s not what optimizes our health and longevity.
Over time, our culture has embraced a way of living and working that is directly counter to the science of human performance, recovery and creativity.
I want you to embrace a new way of thinking about performance and health: Slow down to speed up.
The science behind this idea is that your brain has five different types of waves, ranging from very slow to very fast. Each wave is intended for a particular purpose.
Applying the science of brain states to optimize health and performance
By understanding the science of brain states, you can intentionally match your brain waves to the task at hand. In so doing, you can achieve optimal health and performance.
Here is an overview of the five brain states and their function.
· Delta waves are the slowest. They occur during deep sleep and complete relaxation. This state enables the brain to wash itself (yes, that’s correct!) to recover and regenerate. People with sleep disorders have trouble getting their brains into delta, which causes all kinds of health and performance problems.
· Next are theta waves, which involve more activation than delta but still involve a chill state. This is the mode you need to be creative and ideate. This is what’s happening when you are in the shower, driving or out for a walk and all of a sudden “boom!” An idea pops into your mind.
· Next are alpha waves. This is when you are reflective and learning or engaged in strategic thinking and metacognition (thinking about your thinking). This is when you make connections and see the whole system. This is when you see the link between what is happening today and what will happen in the future.
· Next are beta waves. This is hustle and perform. This is the mode of focused execution when you are firing on all cylinders. It’s an essential mode for getting things done, but it’s damaging when you get stuck in it. In beta, you can’t recover, create or reflect. It’s not happening. If you are in go-go, hustle-hustle all the time, the only thing happening is burnout, sub-optimal performance and frustration.
· Finally, there are gamma waves. When these surge into action, your whole brain is activated. This is the mental state of peak performance – that moment of being in the zone and leaping to a whole new level.
Each of these states has a place – and achieving peak performance and optimal health rely on intentionally and consciously matching your brain waves to the mode you need for any given time or task.
Want to learn more?
Check out my new book Rest Refocus Recharge! In the book I cover simple and innovative ways to fight fatigue, feel stronger and live better.
In a 24/7 world, it can be a real challenge to get proper rest and give your mind and body the opportunity to fully recharge. In my new book, I outline how small changes in the way you rest, refocus and recharge can help you improve your mental health, prevent illness and deliver optimal results. In high-performance athletic circles, “deliberate recovery” practices are the secret weapon of the very best. But you don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from these strategies. Rest Refocus Recharge offers simple and practical techniques that you can easily incorporate into your existing routine, including:
Rest and sleep
Relax and create
Reflect and learn
Recharge and focus
Regenerate and perform
Let me know what you think about this article and the new book in the comments section below!
