As we all work at pace, and through disruption, leaders and teams encounter relentless challenges that can lead to stress, burnout, and decreased productivity. The quest for success seems inherently unending. It can be helpful to recognise the power of mental and physical well-being in sustaining that quest and achieving professional excellence and happiness. This is where the relaxation response, a concept pioneered by Dr. Herbert Benson, becomes a transformative tool for leaders.
I had the privilege of studying with Dr. Benson several times throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. These experiences profoundly impacted my understanding of stress and health, convincing me that the relaxation response is a vital, yet undervalued, tool for enhancing our personal health and the health of our society. More importantly, for us as leaders, it offers extraordinary performance benefits that can transform our leadership style and the effectiveness of our teams.
My initial visit to Harvard was driven by curiosity about ways to address the stress-related challenges that had arisen within my team due to a difficult merger. Also, the distress I felt about the side effects faced by patients using the neurology products we marketed. The research by Herbert Benson and his Harvard Mind Body Medicine Institute team revealed approaches that had as much potential impact as some major pharmaceuticals in managing stress and improving health outcomes. I was astonished and motivated to share the news.
Earlier findings of Benson’s work at Harvard indicated health improvements from the relaxation response, such as decreased chronic pain and hypertension and even less complications following heart surgery. It also seemed to support better sleep, reduce infertility stress, and increase self-esteem in students. Recent research confirms these benefits, showing that meditation, yoga, and prayer can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and cut healthcare needs by 43%, offering major savings and alleviating stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression. Read more here
The relaxation response represents a state of deep rest, altering our physical and emotional responses to stress. Techniques to elicit this response, such as meditation, yoga, and prayer, are scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall health markers. We all have ways to do this but are not always aware of the importance of these behaviours. The practice is like a prophylactic drug – protecting us from getting ill or angry.Building on this foundation, Benson discovered the Breakout Principle, which offers an additional layer of transformation relevant to all leaders. This principle involves a mental shift that allows individuals to break free from old patterns and reach new levels of creativity, clarity, and performance. The principle posits that to solve complex problems or enhance performance one might need to engage in activities unrelated to the problem at hand, such as taking a walk or engaging in meditation. This can help “reset” the brain and lead to moments of insight or breakthroughs. You may of experienced this in the shower, on a run, gardening etc.
The Breakout Principle is described as having four stages: struggle, release (the breakout trigger), the flow state (new thought patterns and reduced stress), and a new, improved baseline of operation. When leaders understand and apply this principle, they not only enhance their problem-solving and decision-making skills but also inspire their teams to achieve greater heights.
The Breakout Principle proves highly effective during intense stress or when usual problem-solving methods fail. It encourages a shift from standard thinking, enabling leaders and teams to find new solutions. During a messy merger event in the international company in which I was working, I applied this technique daily at 4 pm to enhance my end-of-day productivity and planning. This practice significantly eased the challenges of solving the problems we faced, enabling better time management and delegation. Consequently, I could manage the demands of a high-pressure leadership role, overseeing diverse departments, countries, and product lines.
Incorporating the relaxation response and Breakout Principle into leadership can enhance decision-making, raise emotional intelligence, and create a nurturing, innovative environment. The vision is a workplace where stress is strategically managed, empowering everyone to realise their creative and productive capacities fully. To deliver this vision, leading by example is crucial. Showing our teams that valuing mental and physical well-being is fundamental to achieving our collective goals and maintaining productivity and innovation needs to be a priority.
If you’re drawn to these ideas, please explore the resources below and practice.
For those interested, Harvard provides an excellent audio track for practice: Harvard's Relaxation Response Audio Track
My experience is that the practice is even more powerful when it takes place with others and our experiences are discussed. We can practise together on the 25th March at 12 noon. Join me in this practice, and let’s explore the benefits together, transforming our leadership and team dynamics.
Further reading:
Benson, H. (1974). Your innate asset for combating stress. Harvard Business Review, 52, 49-60.
Benson, H., & Proctor, W. (2004). The breakout principle: How to activate the natural trigger that maximizes creativity, athletic performance, productivity, and personal well-being. Simon and Schuster.
Benson, H. (2019). Beyond the Relaxation Response: The Stress-Reduction Program That Has Helped Millions of Americans. Harmony.
