There is an additive effect to the experiences in our life which is easy to discount, but nonetheless important to consider.
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 CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
Throughout this article series, there has been considerable discussion regarding the impact of the experiences in our life across the internal, external, and relational pathways. The effect of these experiences on our underlying biological state is one of the key and foundational principles underlying the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete. What is also important to consider is that we are continuously encountering scenarios and situations across the three pathways and there can easily be an additive and cumulative effect of these experiences.
When we consider the processes of interoception and neuroception and their resulting effects on our biological states in response to cues across the internal, external, and relational pathways it is often the case that, for the sake of ease, we consider one event occurring at a time. We also frequently consider that these situations occur in isolation. In reality, of course, we can experience numerous cues either simultaneously or in rapid succession. Furthermore, we are continuously experiencing cues in a sequential fashion. The overall impact is that there can be an additive effect of that which we experience upon our underlying biological state.
If we are to optimally learn and develop the skills to leverage our biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, it becomes necessary to consider the impact of this additive effect of our various experiences. In essence, in any moment, it is the cumulative impact of the cues we are experiencing that determines the shifts and resulting biological state that may occur in that moment. Those shifts then become the baseline state for subsequent shifts in response to the future cues we encounter.
The above understanding applies equally to the relatively small situations we may experience as well as to more significant and substantial scenarios. This can become particularly important as we shift into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. Given the nature of our modern day world, it is often the case that we are continuously experiencing cues towards activated and anxious states. Many of these cues may be small and subtle, while others may be more significant and impossible to miss. The common effect, however, is that there can be an additive impact of these continuous cues on our biological state. Often the result is progressive deepening and, perhaps, becoming stuck within activated, anxious, overwhelmed, or shutdown states.
The understanding of the concept of our biological state as an intervening variable, as described in Polyvagal Theory, informs how this is the case. The manner in which we may experience any situation is, at least in part, influenced by our biological state at that time. This is particularly pertinent for the relatively smaller scenarios that we may encounter. To take an example, a relatively small cue towards activated states may have a limited impact on our underlying biological state if we experience that cue when we are anchored and grounded. If on the other hand, we are already in an activated state the same cue may be experienced as a more significant or more influential stimulus towards a further shift into attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, or shutdown states.
The above understanding serves to emphasize the importance of regular recovery and restoration towards anchored and grounded states. As has been discussed in past articles, a recovery routine following our activities as well as a during event restoration routine is necessary in order to maintain anchored and grounded states. In past articles this has been considered more from the perspective of recovery and maintaining the ability to perform to our highest level. When considered from the perspective of the additive effect of our experiences, there’s an additional benefit that this strategy provides. Specifically, by regularly recovering and restoring back to anchored and grounded states we lessen the cumulative effect of more subtle cues towards activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. This is particularly important during activities of extended duration when we are exposed to a greater number of these cues over time.
There are additional important implications of the concept of the additive impact of our experiences, particularly related to becoming stuck in activated, attacking, and anxious states. The first relates to the increased consumption of resources, both physiological and psychological, that is inherent within these states. On account of this, in combination with the reduced degree of recovery, it becomes inevitable that we will become progressively depleted. This can lead to shifts towards overwhelmed and shutdown states. In addition, when we are stuck within activated, attacking, and anxious states it is likely that we will not be able to perform to our highest level. As a result, the outcome of our efforts will not meet what we expect, further providing cues towards overwhelmed and shutdown states.
The impact of this understanding is significant. In the short-term this can lead to deterioration in the level of our performance, impacting our ability to perform physical skills, make sound decisions, and be at our best in any aspect of life. Over an extended duration of time, this can have significant effects on our overall health and wellbeing, leading to various physical, emotional, and psychological ailments, as well as to burnout.
By developing the mind-based and body-based skills within the framework of the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete, we are able to utilize strategies and tactics to increase our baseline strength of anchored and grounded states, as well as enhance our ability to utilize strategies and tactics to shift back to these states. Overall, this serves to lessen the likelihood of the additive effect of our experiences towards shifting into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. Ultimately this optimizes our ability to pursue health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance.
To learn more, including about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals and 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 CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.