In the fast-paced world of senior leadership, stress can be both an ally and a challenge. It was with this perspective that the exclusive event “High Performance and Stress: Brain Mechanisms and Practical Applications for Senior Leadership” brought profound insights, led by Marcia Nogueira Castaldi Abel, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Neuroscience at the Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences - SP. The presentation and moderation were led by Alexandra Olivares, Director of SEER: Advanced Program for CEOs, Board Members and Shareholders at Saint Paul Business School.
What is stress, anyway?
Marcia began by demystifying the concept of stress, explaining that it goes beyond a simple response to threats. “Stress is not just about survival, but also about flourishing and thriving,” she said. Stress, when managed well, can become a tool for learning and evolution.
However, she warned that poor stress management can australia whatsapp data lead to illness, emphasizing that health is not just the absence of disease, but rather comprehensive well-being. “Health needs to be part of any manager’s agenda and commitments,” she reinforced, emphasizing the role of leaders in promoting healthy environments.
Read also: Decision Making and Behavioral Finance: What Can We Learn from Daniel Kahneman?
The challenge of hyperconnectivity
The digital age and its hyperconnectivity have been identified as one of the main sources of stress, especially for younger generations. Marcia highlighted the impacts of this phenomenon on brain development and social interactions, a crucial warning for leaders dealing with intergenerational teams.
Strategies for coping with stress
Among the strategies presented for dealing with stress, the importance of self-care was one of the pillars. “Self-care is how much life matters,” said Marcia, inviting leaders to reflect on how their choices directly impact their health and performance.
She also explored the integration between emotions, feelings and thoughts, highlighting that emotions are important guides in decision-making. Emotional awareness and coherence between actions and personal values are fundamental elements for balanced leadership.
Also read: Generative AI: The Future of Technology and its Impact on the Workplace
The transformative role of rest
One of the highlights of the talk was the discussion on rest. Marcia identified seven types of rest – physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social and spiritual – and highlighted that each of them plays a fundamental role in the productivity and well-being of leaders:
Physical: necessary to replenish the body's energy through quality sleep, regular breaks and practices such as stretching;
Mental: essential for reducing cognitive overload, allowing the mind to better process information and avoid burnout;
Sensory: helps detoxify the brain from excessive stimuli, such as lights, sounds and digital screens, promoting tranquility;
Creative: renews inspiration and nurtures innovation, often through contact with art or nature;
Emotional: relieves accumulated tension, allowing a genuine expression of feelings and seeking support when necessary;
Social: promotes balance between healthy relationships and moments of solitude, both fundamental for well-being;
Spiritual: connects the individual to a greater purpose, whether through spiritual practices, meditation or activities that create meaning.
Marcia emphasized that understanding and practicing these different types of rest is essential for leaders who want to achieve high performance in a sustainable way. “Rest is a challenge to the rush that lives inside us,” she reflected, highlighting that slowing down is essential to reconnecting with one’s own essence and playing a more conscious and balanced leadership role.