ZigZag - January, 2009

An article in the Washington Post last week described how high-stress leadership positions tend to accelerate the aging process.

Much of this stress-related aging seems to be related to the isolation that can accompany a top-level position. The presence of loyal friends who know you as a regular person can certainly combat some of that isolation. But cell biologists are pursuing the question of why the aging process is so variable among people, and puzzling over the many cases where lifestyle changes have actually reversed that process. Conditions that are viewed as chronic, even diabetes and high blood pressure, have been reversed by using a combination of stress management, regular exercise, a healthy diet and meditation. These may show potential for actually slowing or reversing the aging of our immune cells.

A key investigator in this has been Elissa Epel, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. She and her fellow researchers studied the relationship between the experience of chronic stress and the length of white blood cell telomeres. This is a fancy term for the protective caps at the end of a chromosome. These caps protect the chromosome from destruction. The natural aging process causes our telomeres to shorten. So these telomeres are a bit like a biological clock.

Dr. Epel's team studied a group of mothers. Being a (good) mother would be a high-stress position, one would think. Some of these mothers were caring for special-needs children. The study found that the level of stress felt by these women (whether or not they were caring for a special-needs child) had a strong correlation with having shortened telomeres. This is a correlation which has held up in several other studies, and while it does not necessarily prove that the stress is the SOLE CAUSE of the shortened telomeres, there is a growing body of evidence that the length of our immune cell telomeres is, in fact, a predictor of longevity.

The feeling of being "on call" or "on duty" at all times is very stressful, no matter what the reason. We cannot live in a constant state of alertness without paying a huge price. In this time of economic recession, most of us are being affected by worries about how we would deal with our own financial bottom line if things continue to worsen. We may feel unable to move, solve problems, or take a risk of any kind. A state of paralysis can creep in when we have not slept well and we feel unable to make ourselves exercise or meditate because we feel like vegetating, staring at the TV, etc. Planning for something positive like a vacation can even be experienced as stressful because of all the unknown factors we may face this year.

Kathy Kolbe states in her book Powered by Instinct that we need to follow five rules for trusting our guts. Times like these make these five rules even more vitally important. First, you need to know your instincts. Taking the Kolbe Index gives you this information.

Finding your purpose is next, as it defines where you want to go. When you are in "survival mode" you feel like you should keep your head down, carefully watching your feet as you take each step. The problem is -- this blinds you to opportunities around you. And a crisis presents new opportunities which can increase the momentum of your efforts. If you keep your eyes on the horizon, you can more easily challenge yourself or "self-provoke" to take an informed risk with these new opportunities.

Third, Kathy says "Commit--but to very little." Being clear about your top priorities requires knowing what is most critical in your life. This means you should not be drowning in your "to do" lists, everything you "should" be taking action on. You need to ask "Do I want to take the time to do this?" and "Do I have the resources I need to do this?" The things that cause failure most often are fear, fatigue and frustration. Overcommiting creates a situation where you will not be able to concentrate enough in order to complete the most crucial tasks. This can cause damage to your self-confidence.

You may have goals that stay at the level of intention, for example, "I'd like to..." or the level of attempt, for example, "I'll try..."

If they stay at those levels for several months, they probably need to be reviewed.

Fourth, Kathy says " Be obstinate--in overcoming obstacles". This involves figuring out how to use your instinctive talents to accomplish something in your own way. This means that you do not give in to fear, fatigue or frustration. It means that you are not confined to doing things the conventional "right way". It means that you are strategic in your thinking--not rebelling so much as putting your own spin on the process of change.

The fifth rule is "Do nothing--when nothing works". This means that you shut off the use of your instinctive energy. This allows you to replenish your instinctive power. When you do not feel ready to take something on, you can press the "hold" button. Sometimes you feel totally spent. Sometimes you are swamped by confusing circumstances, and you need to clear out the "static in your mind" so you can slow down and hear what your inner wisdom has to say about the situation. To come to your senses, you can benefit by retreating into your five senses and changing the scenery around you. This means freeing yourself from purposeful activity--anything that is like play, contemplation or puttering. Your senses and your right brain can kick in, and you can get some perspective about when and how to start moving again.

The Kolbe-A Index ™ is a powerful predictor of a team's success. Also of your personal success when given certain tasks to do. Whether a college student, mid-career, or about to retire, you will be freed by knowing your Kolbe M.O.

Call Dr. Pam to get a free phone consultation. She can be reached at 443-742-6038 or leave a voice mail at 410-995-0760.

Thanks for reading Zigzag. Please forward this Ezine to any friends who may share your interest.

Dr Pam is a psychologist, therapist, and Kolbe™ coach. She can be reached at www.instinctivecoach.com

Oh, to 'transcend the madness of the moment'...