Calm Leadership: The Power of Nervous System Regulation
How aware are you of your body's stress response? How do you balance high-performance demands with the need for rest and rejuvenation? What role does self-care play for you?
****These might be the questions I put to leaders I coach. Often it is off the back me noticing things like listlessness, irritation or just overall exhaustion.
To be fair I prefer to ask them before we get to that stage, but many leaders who are acting under pressure are very good at hiding this kind of stress.
I have been thinking a lot recently about balancing wellness with high performance.
Leaders, especially senior leaders, often operate at a high pace, dealing with constant pressure, making critical decisions, and managing teams. This high-stress environment can take a toll on their physical and mental health, impacting their leadership effectiveness. One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of leadership is the ability to regulate the nervous system.
The nervous system is responsible for our body's response to stress. When it's constantly in a heightened state, it can lead to burnout, impaired decision-making, and decreased empathy. By prioritising nervous system regulation, leaders can enhance their resilience, improve their focus, and foster a healthier work environment.
Two things I highly recommend include meditation and somatic work
Meditation: A Cornerstone of Nervous System Regulation
Meditation is a practice that involves training the mind to focus and redirect thoughts. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as mindfulness, focused attention, and loving-kindness meditation. By regularly practicing meditation, leaders can cultivate a calmer mind, reduce stress, and improve their ability to respond to challenges with clarity and composure.
How Leaders Can Practice Meditation:
Find a quiet space: Create a dedicated meditation spot where you can minimize distractions.
Choose a technique: Explore different meditation styles to find what resonates with you.
Start small: Begin with short meditation sessions and gradually increase the duration.
Incorporate meditation into daily life: Find opportunities for mindfulness throughout the day, such as during breaks or while commuting.
Somatic Work: Connecting Mind and Body
Somatic work is a body-centered approach to healing and well-being. It focuses on the mind-body connection and helps individuals release physical and emotional tension. Through common practices like yoga, diaphragmatic breathing or grounding there is an alignment with the body.
Leaders can develop a deeper awareness of their bodies and cultivate a sense of groundedness whether self guided or with a qualified therapist or bodyworker. Like meditation it is recommended to have this somatic practice from small exercises all the way up.
Prevention is so much better than cure
