Four Great Hormones to Stimulate
Well-Being
Gilbert Brenson-lazan
October 30, 2013
Twitter Hashtag - #4Glearn
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Today’s Speakers
Gilbert Brenson-Lazan
Founder and Managing Partner
Amauta International, LLC
Assisting with chat questions:
Jamie Maloney, 4Good
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FOUR GREAT HORMONES
TO STIMULATE WELL-BEING
¿WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE IN YOUR MIND AND YOUR BODY
WHEN YOU ARE STRESSED, AS OPPOSED TO WHEN YOU FEEL
GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF.
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NEUROCHEMISTRY OF WELL-BEING
A feeling of personal
well-being depends
on the combination
of neurotransmitting
hormones
stimulated in the
brain.
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MAIN NEUROTRANSMITTERS
CORTISOL: an adrenaline alert and energy rush in the
face of a threat. It is valuable for survival (fight-flightparalyze) however, its excess is the source of stress.
ENDORPHIN (Endogenous Morphine): relieves pain,
stimulates physiological immunity and strengthens
resilience to stress.
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE AND REDUCING STRESS
DEPEND UPON THE COMBINATION OF
7 REDUCING CORTISOL AND INCREASING ENDORPHINS

RESILIENCE
Personal Resilience (Stefan Vanistendael,1994) a the combination of:
• Innate human capacity to face adversity and resist destruction
• The willingness to grow, evolve and develop in spite of adversity,
and…
• The use of adversity itself to learn and transform oneself.
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RESILIENCE ALSO DEPENDS
ON CONTEXT:
•
•
Interpersonal Development Factors
•
Strategic Thinking Factors
•
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Individual Development Factors
Vision Factors

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
THE CULTURE OF THE TEAM AND THE
ORGANIZATION STIMULATE AND
REINFORCE RESPONSIBLE
AUTONOMY:
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• Valuing both the person and the behavior: the
being and the doing
• Supporting a sense of personal identity and role
• Asking for perceptual and behavioral flexibility
• Stimulating self-awareness and self-correction
• Facilitating self-esteem and self-confidence
• Helping people distance themselves from negative
messages, behaviors and conditions.

INTERPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE CULTURE OF THE TEAM AND THE
ORGANIZATION STIMULATE AND
REINFORCE THE SPACES AND
PROCESSES OF MEANINGFUL
CONVERSATIONS:
• Valuing inclusivity and diversity
• Stimulating dialogue to gain understanding, make
decisions and transform conflicts
• Reinforcing expressions of affection and mutual help
• Listening empathically and attentively
• Having a sense of humor that does not belittle anyone
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STRATEGIC THINKING
THE CULTURE OF THE TEAM AND
THE ORGANIZATION STIMULATE
AND REINFORCE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIC
THINKING
• Promoting transfunctional collaboration
• Practicing reflection and group self-correction
• Setting challenging and realistic goals
• Asking for help when it is needed
• Measuring and evaluating results.
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VISION FACTORS
THE CULTURE OF THE TEAM AND
THE ORGANIZATION STIMULATE
AND REINFORCE THE CODEVELOPMENT OF A RESPONSIBLE
AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:
• Sharing core values
• Facilitating the internalization of the corporate
mission and team purpose
• Expressing expectations of a promising future
• Integrating corporate goals and aspirations with
those of the people and their social systems.
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PRESSURE, TENSION, STRESS
Pressure
Tension
Two or more equal and opposite
pressures
Stress
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A physical or mental force that
makes contact with us.
Systemic impairment that results
from facing a prolonged and/or
intense period of tension

HOW WE GENERATE ENDORPHINS IN
OURSELVES AND IN OTHERS
MENTAL-EMOTIONAL
PHYSICAL
•
•
•
•
•
Exercise
Massage
Consensual sexual relationships
Balanced diet
Deep breathing
SOCIAL
•
•
•
•
•
Meaningful Conversations
Strengthening family networks
Participation & consensus
Good, close friends
Co-Creation & synergy
•
•
•
•
•
•
Smiling
Positive thinking
“Alpha” relaxation
Using creativity
Flexibility
New learnings, challenges
SPIRITUAL
• Praying & meditating
• Contact with pets and nature
• Singing & dancing
• Helping others
• Defining and living values and
purposes
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DEVELOPING RESILIENCE AND REDUCING STRESS
DEPEND UPON THE COMBINATION OF
REDUCING CORTISOL AND INCREASING ENDORPHINS

“PREMIUM” NEUROTRANSMITTERS
DOPAMINE: it is generated in the system by the achievement
of a personal goal, the satisfaction of a “job well done”, and also
by eating or enjoying a sexual activity. Any excess can be
addictive.
SEROTONIN: generated by public recognition and by receiving
“Warm Fuzzies” It creates feelings of pride, well-being and
achievement. It is the necessary “regulator” to avoid excesses
and maintain a good life balance.
OXITOCIN: generated by trusting relationships, physical
expression of appreciation and acts of generosity. It gives a
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sense of total personal fulfillment and “wholeness”.

FIVE MINUTE FIRST AID
THREE MINUTE EXERCISE TO GENERATE ENDORPHINS
WHEREVER YOU ARE
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