Blossoming instead of burning out

Blossoming instead of Burning Out – Out of Stress & into Flow "Achieving more with less effort. And doing so joyfully." Who wouldn't want that? Utilizing the latest findings of neuroscience, this is possible. "Blossoming instead of Burning Out – Out of Stress & into Flow" is the title of the book in the series "Brain-Knowledge compact" by Monika Herbstrith-Lappe – based on her neuroscientific master's thesis. Healthy Creativity versus Disease-Inducing Workaholism As a mental athlete, I have explored the limits of my performance and completed my double degree in Mathematics and Physics at the intersections with Philosophy and Psychology at the age of only 22 with a grade point average of 1.0. Today, I know that back then I was a workaholic: to distract myself from my inner wounds, I embarked on a flight forward. A non-material addiction that requires insight as the first step of healing. The term "burnout" did not exist back then. The undesired physical and psychological side effects of work addiction were called exhaustion depression. That is still the core of burnout. Since the 1980s, I have been exploring the differences between healthy performance strength and disease-inducing work rage. The wealth of experience accumulated over the years is summarized in the guide "powerful & joyful – highly effective impulses for sustainable success, cheerful sovereignty & empathetic joy of life." The theses, psychological methodologies, and empirical tools for fulfillment and success in all areas of life presented therein have also been scientifically substantiated in the master's thesis of my Master of Cognitive Neuroscience studies. Flow is the Mastery of Ease Csíkszentmihályi has spent his life researching the experience of flow. This blissful feeling occurs when we master rewarding challenges that we feel capable of handling. The German language hits the nail on the head: when we master tasks that match our talents with devotion, our work succeeds and delights us. To achieve the mastery of ease – neuroimaging shows us that fewer brain resources are activated in mastery – practice is required. Including feedback that we are improving in an activity – even if only in small steps. Motivation Arises from Purpose For me, these words encapsulate motivation: "People want to create meaningful things together." Dopamine is the neurobiological substance from which motivation arises: it is produced by the brain through the anticipation of the good feeling that will arise when we have succeeded. Meaningful goals are therefore the breeding ground for motivation. Hence, the book also devotes considerable space to Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy and the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai. Purpose-Driven Organizations are thus a good framework for brain-friendly work. No Happiness Without Challenge Stretching the comfort zone demands experiencing flow. Because flow is also the healthy dose of stress. When achieving desired goals is challenging, our brain releases cortisol. This activates performance reserves. Additionally, adrenaline is released. This makes us less sensitive to pain and temporarily boosts the immune system to strengthen us for "fighting." For many, adrenaline also provides an exhilarating kick. And neurobiologically, the encounter of cortisol and adrenaline releases endogenous opioids like morphine on dopamine: the blissful feeling when you have truly succeeded only arises when there was some stress in between. Life in Balance The term "Work-Life-Balance" gives the impression that work takes place outside of life. In fact, professional lifetime is also a significant part of our lives. Therefore, I prefer "Life in Balance": a harmonious balance between professional and personal time. Furthermore, a healthy balance between joy in creating and recharging is needed. Here too, German terminology is neuroscientifically substantiated: when we have created something right, we are rightfully tired. A satisfied and full feeling that allows us to sleep well and regenerate. And it provides satisfaction when enough has been done.