Team Gembridge recently took a small break from ‘business as usual’ for some learning. But this time, it wasn’t learning about recruitment, it was about managing our energy and wellbeing and utilising mindfulness techniques to improve productivity and output. Great life skill.
Run by Exercise Physiologist and Coach, Unna Goldsworthy. It was such a valuable session. Here, Unna has kindly shared her wisdom with us…
The Tone of Your Nervous System is the Tone of Your Life
By Unna Goldsworthy
Our nervous system is like the conductor of an orchestra, setting the pace and tone for our lives; the workablity of our responses and the ease of our psychological flexibility.
Much like the ‘gator and the judge' metaphor described by Zoe Chance or Daniel Kahneman's concept of Thinking, Fast and Slow, our nervous system, the brain and its pathways to the body, navigates between automatic, instinctive reactions and deliberate, dissected thoughtful responses. Understanding this interplay is crucial because the stories and beliefs that go uninspected can subtly take control of our decisions, our bodies, and ultimately, our potential.
The Gator and the Judge: Fast and Slow Thinking
Kahneman’s "Thinking, Fast and Slow" introduces us to two systems of thought: System 1, which is fast, automatic, and often subconscious, and System 2, which is slow, deliberate, and conscious. Zoe Chance simplifies this with the metaphor of the ‘gator (System 1) and the judge (System 2). The gator is our instinctual, reactive brain, a kin to “gut instinct” while the judge is our rational, reflective mind.
In the realm of our nervous system, these two systems are constantly at play. The gator is quick to react to perceived threats, setting off the fight-or-flight response, which is a primal and necessary function for survival. However, in our modern world, this gator can become overactive, reacting to stressors that don’t pose an immediate threat to our survival—like a looming deadline or a challenging conversation. This overactivity can set the tone for a life filled with distressful stress and tension.
Stories and Beliefs: The Unseen Puppeteers
Our stories and beliefs, especially those uninspected, wield tremendous power over our nervous system's tone. These are often formed in our early years and solidify through repeated experiences. For instance, if you grew up believing that you’re not good enough, this belief can trigger your ‘gator, causing you to react defensively or avoid opportunities that could lead to growth.
Unexamined beliefs and stories can limit our potential through a cascade of physiological triggers starting in our hippocampus, and ending up in adrenaline and cortisol in our body - a threat is detected! This is how self-doubt can stifle our abilities, leading us to underperform and miss out on opportunities for growth. This concept aligns with the idea that our nervous system, influenced by these underlying beliefs, sets the tone for our reactions and decisions.
The Impact on Our Bodies
When our nervous system is consistently in a state of high alert, our bodies bear the brunt. Chronic stress can lead to a multitude of health issues, including hypertension, digestive problems, and weakened immune function. Our nervous system, constantly responding to perceived threats, keeps us in a state of readiness that is exhausting and unsustainable.
This is where the importance of inspecting and reshaping our stories and beliefs becomes evident. By bringing our subconscious narratives into the light, we can begin to reprogram our nervous system. Taming intuitive predictions doesn’t happen overnight; it requires deliberate effort and the willingness to engage with uncomfortable truths about ourselves. A practice for those that have a determination and a readiness to have something different.
Creating a New Tone
So, how can we shift the tone of our nervous system and, consequently, the tone of our lives? Here are a few steps to get started:
1. Self-Awareness and Reflection:
Begin by identifying the stories and beliefs that drive your automatic reactions. Journaling can be a powerful tool for this. Write down situations where you felt strong emotional responses and try to trace them back to the underlying beliefs.
2. Mindfulness and Breathwork:
Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork create a shift in the accessibility of thoughts governed by the ‘gator, giving the judge a chance to weigh in. These practices teach us to observe our thoughts and feelings without immediate reaction, creating space for more deliberate responses.
3. Cognitive Restructuring:
Challenge and reframe unworkable beliefs. For example, if you believe that you're not good enough, reframe the inner thought with the kindness of your reality checker. Then commit to the idea, without having to believe it, with curiosity and courage of what will change.
4. Building Resilience:
Engage in activities that build your resilience; these are counter to distress which is eustress, so physical exercise, cold exposure, heat exposure, connecting with people that challenge your status quo in a productive way; and play, creativity through unlocking the constraints of strict expectations or fear of failure.
5. Seeking Professional Help:
Sometimes, unearthing and reshaping deep-seated beliefs requires the help of a professional. Therapy or coaching can provide the structured support needed to make significant changes.
The tone of your nervous system truly is the tone of your life. By understanding and working with the interplay between our instinctual and rational minds, and by actively inspecting and reshaping our stories and beliefs, we can set a new tone—one that supports our well-being, enhances our performance, and unlocks our potential. Recognising and addressing these hidden potentials allows us to move beyond self-imposed limitations and create a life that is not only successful but also deeply fulfilling.
L-R Jenny Nicholls, Dawn Patrick, Jenni D’Orival, Unna Goldsworthy, Malu Fabello, Tessa O’Neill & Michelle Varcoe (photo taken by Lauren Taylor)
To learn more about what Unna does, read her blog, or to book a coaching or training session, visit her website here.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insights with us, Unna!