“Switching the reward systems for best performance”
True high performers, on business-level and emotionally, know how to toggle back and forth between the different „reward systems“.
An optimized lifestyle means switching back and forth between external & goal oriented actions on one side and then also triggering the inside reward systems that creates warmth, a feeling of belonging and happiness.
The two important reward systems to be ware of are (1) Dopamine / Epinephrine and (2) Serotonin / Oxytocin
Dopamine causes a perceptual effect about things that happen outside of us – it puts us in an outward facing mode and usually comes along with epinephrine (urgency, GO, agitation, action).
Dopamine and epinephrine as a pair are producing a feeling of energy, low level of anxiety, excitement, forward target oriented energy.
Epinephrine alone doesn’t feel good, its more like a low vibe stress feeling.
Dopamine is released when something great happens, in the outside world (like shooting a goal in soccer, making a sales deal, winning something), or if we are in excitement for something coming up. Epinephrine is released along with this process and does its part (in a positive way when coming together with dopamine) in order to let us feel that energy, the forward moving energy to that upcoming event.
However epinephrine can also be released by its own, which causes the above described low vibe state, aka pure stress.
The dopamine/epinephrine reward system helps us with picking a goal and moving forward to it. So this system is vital not just for high performers, but really just anyone!
The other „reward system“ we own, the serotonin reward system. Produced with events like cuddling with your partner, playing with your dog, having your baby on your chest, getting a good old hug by your grandma or a friend.
While Dopamine is depending on outside stimuli, the serotonin response can be accessed any time and is connected to feelings such as calm and quiescence. And it does not activate the production of the norepinephrine system. It’s a feeling of warmth that is caused be serotonin.
Serotonin is usually coming along with the proaction of the hormone oxytocin, aka „the love drug“.
These two play into each other and are produced by men and woman.
Someone how plays for too long to intense in the world of outside rewards (dopamine), will often times have difficulties toggling back to the serotonin/oxytcine system.
True high performers are able to switch back and forth between these systems. For example, work hard along certain times of the day, and then have quality time with family and close ones after work.
Both systems are equally important!
Important:
– to get things done
– important to get rest
– important to set goals and move forward to them
– important to feel loved, bond and belong.
To perform at the best possible levels, while maintaining good energy and experience true fulfillment, one needs to be able to go back and forth between the different reward systems.
Sascha
#ThisDrivesMe #LifeCoach
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A post created and based on research of Dr. Andrew Huberman (neuroscientist at Stanford – Huberman Lab)
