#162

Welcome to Weekly Whisper #162.

The best thing for your nervous system is another human and the worst thing for your nervous system is another human - Lisa Feldman Barrett

Can you hold the opposing ideas in this statement and still take a step forward?

Contradictory?

Yes.

Plausible?

Yes

Reflective of my lived experience?

Yes.I can think of situations where having another human to connect with on an issue was helpful, liberating and energising.And I can also think of situations where having another human around whilst dealing with an issue was unhelpful, debilitating and draining.If you did an audit of the impact your words and actions have on others I wonder where the balance would lie?Lisa Feldman Barrett highlights in the following article IDEAS.TED.COM our words and actions can actually shape other brains!Some significant thoughts for me:

We regulate one another’s body budgets. The idea that we have biological resources that are topped up or depleted by the words and actions of those we interact with. Usually this is done outside of the awareness of the giver and receiver. Your brain becomes ‘tuned and pruned as you interact with others’ and ‘whether you intend that effect is irrelevant’.

Everybody has somebody. Each of us have people in our lives that fill and empty our biological resources (and it could be the same person for both) based on their words and actions. For me, a kind SMS from my partner can calm me and an ambiguous SMS from a client can trigger anxiety.

The brain doesn’t distinguish between sources of chronic stress. If you are already burdened and depleted by navigating other life circumstances then we are more vulnerable to stress of all kinds. The proverbial straw will indeed break their back without you intending so.

We are free to speak and act but are not free from the consequences of what we say and do. “Our nervous system is bound up (and wound up!) with the behaviour of other humans, for better or for worse”. We might not agree, intend or care about those consequences but nonetheless they impact our biology.

Lisa Feldman Barrett's TED talk can be found here.

NEW RELEASE
Freedom Fridays Podcast Episode #87 Featuring Richard Oakes

In Episode 87 of the Freedom Fridays Podcast, Pete welcomes back friend, colleague, and soul brother, Richard Oakes.

Pete and Richard reflect on the personal and professional challenges they've encountered over the past year. They discuss navigating life's highs and lows and reflect on the tactics that have guided them through difficult times.

They explore the importance of being honest within themselves, about where they are, the value of finding someone to share their struggles with, and the critical role that vulnerability plays in personal growth. They talk about the weight of unspoken thoughts and the relief that comes from airing them out.

This episode explores the human experience of conquering obstacles in life. Whether you're facing your own trials or just looking for some wisdom to carry with you, this episode promises to resonate on many levels. Tune in as Pete and Richard unpack what it means to navigate the feast and famine of life.

        

               

That's all for this week. If you’ve been enjoying the Weekly Whispers please feel free to forward it to friends and anyone you think would benefit.

As always, please send me an email at [email protected] to send me your feedback or to let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Pete