Leading with Wellness Part 2 - Habits That Fuel Resilience and Performance

Guest Contributor: Molly Haydon -  Wellness Advisor 

Are you leading with your wellness as an example? 

As leaders, you are distinctly aware (and possibly concerned) about the mental wellness of your company. We have seen a seismic shift since 2020 in terms of corporate responsibility for safe and supportive workplaces. So it’s on your agenda, but are you on your agenda? Let’s turn the spotlight around. How are you doing with your health? 

Executives are prone to their own health concerns, particularly as it relates to persistent states of high stress because of your demanding roles. Our bodies, and minds, were never meant to be in a state of persistent stress. We are designed for intermittent stress responses, which is why the fight, flight, freeze response is so incredibly taxing on our bodies. It’s the body’s immediate survival technique to get us away from the threat; it was never designed to be turned on all the time.  

The release of two stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, are great in small doses as they keep the body cued up. But if they stay elevated in your body, you will be at risk for: 

• Cardiovascular disease 

• Obesity 

• Diabetes 

• Anxiety and depression 

• Sleep disorders 

• Chronic pain 

The National Institute for Health states that 80% of diseases can be prevented by lifestyle changes. 

The solution is learning how to manage stress and being aware of what we are feeding ourselves, both mentally and physically. Inflammation in the body is something doctors can actually measure. It’s important to know this because you can’t see it, and it’s widely known that inflammation is the precursor to disease. 

Wellness can set your mind and body up for strength, resilience and longevity. 

There is an abundance of research done about how lifestyle changes can promote a long and healthy life, but it also can mitigate the possibility of of having your genetic code express with diseases such as cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes etc. Most people are aware of their family history of disease, and now there is a simple, non-medical tool to make sure you aren’t diagnosed with a disease. The answer is in your self-directed lifestyle. 

CNN listed the important, and seemingly simple, choices to build your healthiest lifestyle. A more in depth scientific study by the National Institute for Health is a fascinating reminder of how we can live longer and mitigate disease with lifestyle habits. 

There has been a lot of mainstream media coverage about centenarians in what’s now designated as blue zone regions. How do the majority of these community members live well past 100 years of age? It turns out they are living the longest because of how they have built their lifestyles. 

“Power 9” Habits 

These nine specific lifestyle Power 9 habits have been identified by the Blue Zones organization, founded by author Dan Buettner.  

The earlier you can adopt these, the more likely you are to be successful with your health and longevity. You don’t necessarily have to live in a blue zone to live your maximum quality of life.   

How long does it take to change and implement lifestyle habits? 

When I was at my peak success as a business owner, I wasn’t succeeding in many areas of my health. On the outside, I looked vibrant and gave off the distinct impression that I was unstoppable. Behind the scenes, I was suffering from erratic sleep, digestion, concentration and stamina. 

I sought the help of a naturopath, stress therapist and meditation teacher. It took a solid 8 – 12 months before my body and mind work in sync again. Quite honestly, it’s taken me the better part of five years to cement a whole host of healthy changes into my being, and I have never felt better.  

 "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” - Hippocrates 

The simplest tool I use to make sure I’m not adding stress to my mind and body is by checking my heart rate. If it’s higher than my resting heart rate, I immediately do a “detect and reflect.” With this, I look at what I have physically consumed and then I look at what’s happening in my mind and body. 

When you consume any of these, your heart rate increases. 

• Sugar 

• Caffeine 

• Alcohol 

Also, your heart rate will beat faster if you are dehydrated.  

When your mind signals your body that you are under stress, your heart rate also increases. You’ll notice the following signs: 

• Your breathing may be too shallow. Deep, slow breaths will lower your heart rate. 

• Your brain might be whirring with too many thoughts and tasks, which sets off your nervous system. Mindfulness helps slow the brain down and creates a vacation for brain.  

• Your environment might be stressful as you are stuck in a meeting, at your desk or working on a deadline. Get up and move. Change your scenery to tell your body to slow down. 

The goal is to be in a state of balance within your mind and body. As you gain more healthy lifestyle habits to promote your health, you will notice many subtle changes, like better quality sleep, ease of digestion, better cognition, less impatience and more tolerance for external stimuli. When you are in balance, you feel more inspired to keep taking care of yourself. When you do that, you are stronger to lead others and even lead others with your wellness as an example. 

There is no quick fix. The fix is your mindset and your commitment to yourself. 

The reflection of health at work reflects in team dynamics and productivity. 

We have seen what unpredictable times has done to family, economy, work and health, and the ripple effects are still evident. As we go into another year of economic, geopolitical and business challenges, there’s a need to steady the ship and that comes with the sure-footedness of the crew. 

Health is the key to having people being sure-footed. We want to make sure your team has the tools to build healthy mind and body habits in order to experience their best feeling selves. 

Introducing Pivotal Growth Wellness 

In response to the growing priority around wellness, I worked with Pivotal Growth to develop a Pivotal Growth Wellness Diagnostic to help leaders assess their own health and wellness, as well as their teams. The proprietary health diagnostic we developed is designed to evaluate the impact of life on one’s mind and body. In conjunction with my Lifestyle Check-up Wellness Program, we can help get people back in balance with a routine of care in both mind and body by prioritizing the 6 pillars of health.  

Contact me to learn more: mollyhaydon@pivotalgrowthinc.com  

M O L L Y   H A Y D O N   

Wellness Advisor 

Molly has over 20 years of experience leading marketing and publicity for global live entertainment tours, including concerts, Broadway, and Cirque du Soleil. Her decade-longjourney in stress reduction and healthy living inspired her to transition from corporate life to helping others. Three years ago, she founded Lifestyle Check-up in Portland, Oregon, where she supports individuals navigating physical and emotional health changes by optimizing lifestyle habits for balance and stress management. Molly is a Certified Health Instructor from the Chopra Center and a Wellness Consultant for Pivotal Growth Incorporated.