Clearing your Allostatic Load

How to Clear Your Allostatic Load for Peak Performance

Allostatic Load is that “stress” that makes your “brain tired” Here’s how to fix it.

If you want a longer video of this - check out Rian Doris’s video where this article was inspired from
Clearing Your Allostatic Load Makes Laziness Impossible (youtube.com) 

Step 1: Grasp the Concept of Allostatic Load

Allostatic load is essentially the accumulated stress your body and mind endure over time, which can wear you down if left unchecked. Imagine it as a muscle being overworked without adequate recovery, eventually leading to diminished performance. High allostatic load manifests as fatigue, low motivation, and a dip in productivity.

Step 2: Evolve into an Executive Athlete

Transition from being just another knowledge worker to an executive athlete who optimizes their biology for peak output. Mastering energy management is key here—balance your exertion with intentional recovery to consistently perform at your best.

Step 3: Focus on Recovery, Not Just Relaxation

Recognize the difference between mere relaxation and active recovery. Active recovery involves deliberate practices that rejuvenate both your body and mind, enhancing your overall well-being. Think breathwork, cold and heat therapies, exercise, nature immersion, and quality sleep as your go-to recovery methods.

Step 4: Integrate Active Recovery into Your Routine

Incorporate specific techniques into your daily life, such as 4-7-8 breathing or box breathing to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Experiment with cold therapy like ice baths to boost mood and focus, and explore other recovery modalities such as heat therapy, regular exercise, and deep, restorative sleep. Keep an eye on your heart rate variability (HRV) and how you feel to gauge your progress.

Step 5: Establish a Consistent Active Recovery Routine

Make active recovery a non-negotiable part of your daily schedule. Whether it’s a breathwork session or a sauna visit, find time for it each day. Dedicate one day a week to layering multiple recovery protocols, plan for a three-day recovery phase every month, and take a full ten-day break each quarter. Once a year, commit to a two-week vacation to fully recharge.

Step 6: Live the Executive Athlete Lifestyle

Adopt the mindset of a lion—alternate between periods of intense work and deep recovery. When you work, be fully immersed; when you recover, completely unplug. Eliminate distractions and low-impact activities to focus on what truly matters, allowing you to thrive in both your professional and personal life.

Step 7: Continuously Refine Your Recovery Strategies

Regularly evaluate how well your recovery routines are working. Adapt and tweak your strategies based on your energy levels and performance outcomes. Remember, active recovery is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a crucial element of sustaining peak performance and achieving long-term success.

By following these steps and embracing active recovery as a cornerstone of your routine, you’ll effectively clear your allostatic load, boost your productivity, and consistently perform at your peak.