b'FEATURED ARTICLEOne technique that can draw us back from threat andAs social creatures, our need for social interaction has into reward state is reframing. Research shows that ifincreasedparticularlywithmanyworkingfromhome, we reframe a situation, we can shift the perception quiteminimisingbroadercontact,self-isolatingorbeingin quickly. In order to get the maximum benefit from this, itlockdown. We need to take extra time to connect by the is also effective to breathe deeply and label the emotionvirtualwatercoolerbyenquiringhowpeopleareand you are experiencing. We summarise this as a 30 secondsharing our personal experiences. circuit breaker: Breathe, Label and Reframe (BLR).Many people are struggling from isolation, uncertainty, Reframingistheprocessoflookingatthingsfromaloss of freedom, financial hardship and fear. Managers different perspective. We can ask ourselves:andpeersneedtoconnectwithteammembersona How else can I look at this? deeper level to ensure they experience a sense of well-being and psychological safety. We need to generate a What is the positive in this? reward state to mitigate or reduce the threat state What can I learn from this? throughconnection,recognition,laughter,validation, brain-breaks and shared understanding.How can I put this into perspective?Our ability to change and adapt is underpinned by the We are then able to see some positives or at least not feelprocessofneuroplasticity.Thisisthebrainsabilityto the situation is as bad as we initially perceive. We are ablechange itself. This can be self-directed via attention to goals to get the brain back in a reward state with all the cognitiveor can be gradual or sudden based on events. We have all and creative capacity that provides.For example, workingneeded to rapidly adapt to the changing environment. To from home gives us more time for exercise, for hobbiesa large extent we prefer consistency, certainty and form or with our family. It has also developed our ability to usehabits.However, we are wired to change and develop technology bringing family, friends and work colleagues innewhabits.Whenneuroplasticityoccursweshiftour different locations together in new ways. focus from a super-highway or well-worn path neural connectionandpayattentionandpositivefeedbackto a small new laneway or off the beaten track neural Another way to ensure our brains perform well is to takeconnection. Over time this then develops into a new habit brain-breaks. People working from home are finding theyand becomes a healthy main road. The habits that are are less inclined naturally to take brain-breaks. Researchhealthy for us to form include: mindfulness (practise to from Peretz Lavie studied ultradian rhythms and foundbuild resilience and emotion regulation), daily exercise, that longer productive sessions (of around 90 minutes)goingtobedearly,brain-breaks,switch-offtimeand followedbyabrainbreakofnomorethan15minutesprioritising our tasks. If we can form healthy habits such allowed us to be more in sync with our natural energyas these, the challenges of the day will seem easier and we levels and allows us to maintain a better focus and higherwill have greater cognitive capacity to solve problems and energy level throughout the day.(REF) and (PIC).be innovative in our way forward. Brain breaks can include having a cup of tea or coffee on the balcony or away from your desk, a brisk walk around the block, some stretches or exercise or simply hanging out some washing. By allowing the pre-frontal cortex to quieten, we are also much more likely to create the conditions required to have an insight or an aha moment. Our innovative problem solvingimproves,allowingaccesstotheweaker,non-conscious but highly effective connections we are making in the background.Kristen HansenCEO and Founder, EnHansen Performanceenhansenperformance.com.au/OCTOBER 2020 81'