Cognitive reappraisal and reframing are important mind-based skills to optimize our outlook and mindset. A polyvagal informed paradigm supports the application of these skills.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CE/CME credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CE/CME credits.
Across many different domains and applications, the use of reframing and cognitive reappraisal is often described. Effectively these are mind-based skills which allow us to identify our thoughts and narratives and consider their accuracy. In addition, through this process, we are able to consider alternative explanations for our experiences and determine which thoughts and stories are most appropriate. We can then make a deliberate choice regarding which are most representative of our experience.
The skill of reframing and cognitive reappraisal is important in the pursuit of sustainable high performance. At the core, the reason for this is that these skills allow us to ensure that our perception and understanding of the events we encounter are as accurate as possible. Particularly in the setting of obstacles and setbacks, it can be easy to adopt a negative and pessimistic outlook. Through the process of reappraisal of these thoughts and narratives, we can not only determine whether or not such an outlook is warranted but make the deliberate choice to select representative explanations for our thoughts and feelings. It is evident that this contributes to sustainable high-performance given that this pursuit inherently involves setbacks, challenges, and obstacles.
Given the benefits of cognitive reappraisal and reframing in the context of pursuing sustainable high-performance, it is not surprising that most, if not all, performance psychologists and others in high demand domains routinely advocate for the development of these skills. It can also be appreciated, however, that our ability to efficiently and effectively cognitively reappraise and reframe our circumstances and experiences is not constant or consistent over time. Many, if not all, of us have encountered times in which we are effective at this process, as well as many instances in which we are seemingly unable to reframe our current situation or experience.
The apparent inconsistency of cognitive reappraisal and reframing is not adequately explained through the traditional performance psychology perspective. This paradigm typically suggests that further development of the skill is needed. However, if we are able to successfully reframe in some circumstances, it would seem that the skill itself is not the issue in the apparent dynamic nature of our ability to implement this skill.
From my perspective, this apparent inconsistency is best explained through the polyvagal informed paradigm. As has been discussed in past articles, many, if not all, of our attributes and traits are dynamic over time. In particular, our mind-based skills, such as confidence, optimism, calm, focus, and application of a growth mindset, are not static across all domains and times. Rather our ability to optimally implement these desirable traits varies over time. When one considers that these attributes are strongly influenced by our underlying biological state, more than a static developed skill, it becomes possible to appreciate the dynamic nature of these attributes. In particular, we can identify how shifts in our biological state often lead to changes in the apparent effectiveness of our ability to utilize and benefit from these traits.
The polyvagal informed paradigm allows us to understand that when we are in a ventral vagal stabilized state, we will have an ideal ability to utilize these mind-based skills, including cognitive reappraisal and reframing. In contrast when our biology shifts towards sympathetic and dorsal vagal states, the effectiveness of these methods is substantially reduced. The underlying basis for this understanding is the necessity for prefrontal cortical activity and executive functioning in the application of mind-based skills. Our prefrontal cortical activity, which is an essential component for cognitive processes, is optimized within ventral vagal stabilized states. In contrast when we shift into sympathetic or dorsal vagal states the effectiveness of our prefrontal cortical activity is significantly reduced.
This understanding further informs how our ability to reframe and cognitively reappraise situations can also reflect our biological state and be an indicator to us of that state. As discussed in past articles, when we identify that we have shifted into sympathetic and dorsal vagal states in situations in which we would prefer ventral vagal stabilization we can utilize this knowledge to implement skills from the polyvagal informed toolbox to shift our state to one which is desired.
With a more detailed understanding of the process of cognitive reappraisal and reframing, it can be noted that these skills require the ability to consider alternative explanations as well as to weigh the relative likelihoods of differing narratives. These processes require prefrontal cortical activity. For this reason, they are susceptible to shifts in our biological state. In addition, it is important to consider the work of Richard Sutton who has described the genetic influences on our ability to reframe and cognitively reappraise situations. As he discusses, there are genetic variations that can increase or decrease the relative efficiency with which we are able to accomplish these tasks.
While there may be a genetic predisposition towards enhanced or reduced ability to cognitively reappraise and reframe experiences, there is also a tremendous environmental influence. For example, through exercise and physical activity we are able to adjust the neurophysiological processes such that our ability to reframe can be improved. In addition, as discussed in past articles, our prior experiences and responses to those situations can lead to the preferential utilization of various nervous system pathways through the process of neuroplasticity.
While our genetic makeup is an important factor, as Richard Sutton eloquently describes, it is one that is beyond our control. Our ability to apply strategies and tactics from the polyvagal informed toolbox allows us to leverage our biology towards the pursuit of that which is of most importance to us. This latter process, importantly, is within our control. Through the intentional and deliberate training and development of these strategies and tactics, the process of neuroplasticity leads to the ability to strongly influence the neural pathways which are utilized in response to the cues and stimuli we encounter across the internal, external, and relations pathways. Through this process we obtain the optimal ability to leverage our biology in alignment with our values, purpose, and objectives.
The pursuit of sustainable high-performance requires the ability to persevere through challenging situations as well as setbacks and obstacles that we will inherently and inevitably encounter. While the mind-based skills, in particular cognitive reappraisal and reframing, are important attributes in this regard, it is also crucial to embody a polyvagal informed perspective as this is the foundation to the successful application of the mind-based skills.
In order to optimally pursue sustainable high-performance, the polyvagal informed paradigm is preferred. This perspective provides the ideal foundation from which to leverage our biology in pursuit of sustainable high-performance, as well as health and wellbeing. To learn more about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals, as well as others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CE/CME credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CE/CME credits.
REFERENCES
Dana, D. Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory. Boulder, Colorado: Sounds True, 2021.
Porges SW, Porges S. Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us. New York: W.W. Norton & Company; 2023.
Sutton, R. Thrive: A Practical Guide to Harness Your Resilience and Reliase Your Potential. London, UK: Watkins Media Limited, 2024.