The FlowCast

RJ Kayser

The podcast for inspiration and information on Finding Your Flow

  1. Recovery and Prevention of Workplace Burnout

    2023-09-22

    Recovery and Prevention of Workplace Burnout

    Welcome back to another episode of The FlowCast, where we dive deep into topics related to finding flow and performing your best. In today's episode, we're shining a spotlight on an issue that affects countless individuals in the workforce – workplace burnout. As always, we've got an insightful presentation lined up for you, so lean in and get ready to gain some valuable knowledge. I recently had the honour of delivering a presentation on managing workplace burnout and fatigue for Peterborough County. The response was overwhelming, with attendees finding the information both practical and eye-opening. This recording was a practice run from that presentation so that you can get the value of everything discussed as well! In our quest to understand burnout better, we also explore different ways to measure stress. From stress trackers to heart rate variability, we'll talk about both objective and subjective methods. We even analyze the trends in stress levels throughout the week, uncovering patterns that may surprise you. Ultimately, the key takeaway from today's episode is the importance of understanding the sources of stress in our lives to prevent burnout. So sit back, relax, and prepare to embark on a journey towards workplace recovery and prevention of burnout. 0:00 Introduction 4:20 Is burnout a real thing? 6:51 Measuring stress 12:00 Deep health dimensions 19:20 Stress plus rest equals growth 22:20 Costs of stress in the workplace 24:00 Break the stress chain 27:00 Active recovery 30:35 The Effortless Rule 32:30 Peak performers have higher highs and lower lows 34:00 Stress mindset 37:00 Become a corporate athletes 40:30 Behavioural activation energy 42:00 The power of full engagement 45:00 The importance of flow at work 50:30 How to get started with these strategies for preventing burnout

    52 min
  2. Unlocking Optimal Performance: Understanding Recovery Metrics

    2023-07-07

    Unlocking Optimal Performance: Understanding Recovery Metrics

    "On this episode of The FlowCast, host RJ Kayser delves into the importance of measuring recovery. The episode begins with the speaker suggesting alternatives to vices such as watching TV or consuming unhealthy food, which often serve as coping mechanisms for underlying stress. Addressing stress is crucial for long-term recovery, and the impact of stress on recovery will be explored in future episodes. The speaker then introduces objective measurements like heart rate, heart rate variability, and breath rate as ways to assess recovery. Blood and urine measurements for cortisol levels are not practical for most people, so devices like Apple Watch, WHOOP, Ring, and Fitbit are recommended. These devices provide scores for readiness, recovery level, and stress using algorithms. Trends in heart rate over time can reveal levels of stress and recovery, but it is important to establish personal baselines before using the device during stressful periods. In addition to objective measurements, subjective measurements play a key role in understanding recovery. Factors such as stress levels, feelings of readiness, and perceived exertion in the gym can be assessed subjectively using a scale from 1 to 10. The speaker suggests assessing stress levels and recovery scores in the morning and at the end of the day. The episode emphasizes the importance of looking at both subjective and objective measurements to get a complete understanding of recovery. It also touches on the potential pitfalls of relying solely on technology and the need for self-awareness in managing stress and recovery. Examples from strongman competitions and other performance situations highlight the importance of being prepared and achieving optimal baseline levels of stress and replenishment for peak performance. The episode concludes by discussing the variations in measurements provided by different devices such as the Ora Ring, WHOOP, Fitbit, and Apple Watch. Despite these differences, the devices tend to be consistent in the numbers they provide, enabling users to track their recovery trends over time. Overall, this episode of The FlowCast offers valuable insights into measuring recovery and stress levels, providing listeners with practical advice for optimizing their performance and well-being."

    24 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The podcast for inspiration and information on Finding Your Flow