Understanding Your Bio-Chemical Self

I am not a bio-chemist, though I now know that you live your life differently when you have a basic understanding of your body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is a network of nerve fibers extending throughout the body, connecting the brain with various organs and muscle groups. There are two branches of the ANS that work in harmony with each other to deal with the threats we face and then can recover from them.

•     The sympathetic branch activates the Fight, Flight or Freeze response. This generates adrenaline so your heart beats faster, your muscles get tense, your eyes dilate and the mucous membranes dry up. This all allows you to fight harder, run faster, see better and breathe easier than you would without this systemic response.
•     The parasympathetic branch activates the relaxation response. It tells the body, “OK, you can relax now. The danger has passed. No need to be on alert anymore.” Prompted by this message, the body’s adrenaline subsides and you return to your normal physiological state.

Adrenaline was meant to be released in quick doses to support a Fight or Flight response that may be needed in a situation. It was not designed as a way of life, but there are a lot of people in the 21st century living 24/7 in this heightened state. No wonder so many of us are stressed, dis-eased, generally overweight and looking for quick fixes.
It’s key to remember that the two branches work in harmony with each other, creating a balance between the two is your goal. Living your life more in either branch will lead to disharmony.
Thousands of people suffer from constant fatigue unrelieved by rest and sleep. This is the main symptom of living more in the sympathetic branch of the ANS and is referred to as Adrenal Burnout. Other symptoms may include a craving for sweets, low blood pressure and low blood sugar, irritability and depression. It feels like an everyday struggle – just to maintain!

When you understand the ANS you are equipped to understand what you and everyone else may require in any given moment and/or situation.
This will make you a more rounded and empathic person, and leader in all areas of your life.

Not sure where to start?

Then check out the many resources on this website.

Until next time…..

Be well and remember to make each day meaningful, memorable and magical………..and never, ever, ever stop dancing!

With Love & Gratitude
Karen Chaston.
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The Importance of Knowing and Valuing M.E.

Ok most of us were brought up with an understanding that if you put yourself first then you were selfish and no-one would want to work, love or be around you.
Whilst this may be true when you are coming from EGO, when you flip your perspective and start to embrace that “You are the only person you will spend your entire life with” you begin to see the benefits of how you can serve everyone else more effectively after you have looked after yourself first.

Remember, the first thing they say during the safety announcement on a plane….” Put your own oxygen mask on first, before you assist anyone else.”

Most women are putting themselves last and wonder why they are always feeling tired, overworked and underappreciated. Their relationships are falling apart mainly because they aren’t looking after themselves and are out of balance with all areas of life: mentally, professionally, financially, socially, family, physically, spiritually, emotionally and environmentally.
For most of my life, I leaned more towards professionally than any other area. No wonder I was eating and drinking too much, feeling unfulfilled, and wasting a lot of money. Now each week I spend quality conscious time in each area.
And I’m happy to say that every relationship in my life has improved, especially the ones with myself, my body, my food/ drink, my heart and my soul.

Scheduling your “M.E.” time

We all live busy lives. Though more than likely we are busy doing the things that don’t serve us and neglecting the things that will assist us to achieve our personal and professional goals.
I am a great believer that everyone should spend the first hour of each day on themselves. Their M.E. time – my exercise, my escape, my essence, my exuberance, my energy, me early… (the list is endless).

Rising early and seeing the sunrise whilst exercising is the best way to create a successful day. When you top yourself up, you then come from overflow all day long, allowing you to give, give and give without feeling resentful, unloved and unfulfilled.

Create a morning ritual that ensures you are energised, full of oxygen, eating healthily, as you will then easily be able to perform at your peak all day long.

Imagine, yourself being able to tap dance to and from work each day. Imagine jumping out of bed each morning, enthused about everything the day will bring. Imagine having extra energy at the end of the day and being able to spend quality time with your partner after the kids have gone to bed.

Not sure where to start?

Then check out the many resources on this website.

Until next time…..

Be well and remember to make each day meaningful, memorable and magical………..and never, ever, ever stop dancing!

With Love & Gratitude
Karen Chaston.
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Becoming a Successful Feminine Leader

So, you have your sights set on becoming a feminine authentic leader in a male-dominated environment.
Congratulations!
I believe, at this time, Feminine Authentic Leaders are exactly what our companies, nation and the world require.

All over the globe, there is a growing trend that many highly talented, but currently unmotivated women, are set to walk away from the corporate world altogether. Putting in jeopardy, the increased financial success, and gender-balanced teams these women bring to a corporation.
Due to their busy lifestyles women often go to work tired, worn out, depressed, over-worked, and under-appreciated. This in turn creates an unproductive and non-conducive workplace, ultimately leading to hard earned profits being wasted on increased HR issues, high sick leave and high employee turnover.
Research reveals that challenging, passion-driven work, making a difference and recognition are the top three career motivators for women. Companies need to provide these if they want to help women realise their full potential as leaders.

Why did I write the Successful Feminine Leader e-book?

I am excited to share with you the many tips and tools that I wish I had known when I first started my career over 40 years ago.
Even though I rose the corporate ladder to become a Chief Financial Officer of a publicly listed company, I now know that the road would have been so much easier if I’d known then what I am about to share with you.
Namely that everything begins with YOU, knowing who you are bio-chemically, physiologically and for you to lead with emotion.
Though more importantly, I know that as a senior manager the whole work culture would have been immensely enhanced if I had the courage to remain true to my innate qualities instead of going down the path of living more in my masculine (personally and professionally).

OK back then, there was really only one style of management – Divide and Conquer as everyone was in Survival.

The workplaces were very competitive, a place where most employees had a lack mindset (if you have it, then I can’t) and most people spent much of their time watching their backs instead of doing the work.
And feminine innate traits of empathy, nurturing and collaboration in the workplace were seen as being weak. I can’t count the number of times I was told “Don’t act like that if you want to get ahead.”
Come to think of it, in 2016 (and just a few days from 2017), unfortunately there are a lot of companies that are still being managed this way and I firmly believe that the sooner the women bring their authentic qualities to the workplace the sooner the companies will reap the benefits of all the empirical studies that show companies with higher female representation of senior managers (or above) will be more profitable.​
Imagine being a senior manager or owner of a company where all employees have a CEO mindset that are not only emotionally and physically healthier but are also:

  • More engaged
  • More inspired
  • More productive
  • More motivated
  • More goal oriented
  • More collaborative
  • More aligned to the company’s values
  • Able to work autonomously

This furthermore results in:

  • A Decrease in sick leave and staff turnover
  • A more conducive workplace
  • A healthier bottom line

All this is possible and I’m about to share with you how you can make it a reality.
Not sure where to start?

Then check out the many resources on this website.

Until next time…..

Be well and remember to make each day meaningful, memorable and magical………..and never, ever, ever stop dancing!

With Love & Gratitude
Karen Chaston.
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