Welcome back to The Microdose Diet a newsletter about getting more success, passion and happiness in your life and career by using alternative medicines, such as microdosing psychedelics.
As we step into the New Year, the tradition of setting resolutions often leads us to aspire to transform various aspects of our lives – from our bodies and careers to our homes and hobbies. The pursuit of achievements, whether in exercise, work, activities, or social engagements, is a common theme. While the desire for improvement is commendable, it's crucial to recognize the potential pitfalls that accompany the pursuit of always more achievements.
The intention behind our New Year’s resolutions is key to better understand why we chose to focus our attention, efforts and resources in specific areas of our lives. Are we looking to lose weight to be healthier or to be accepted? Do we want to earn more money to go on a fun vacation with loved ones, to keep up with the Joneses or to feel safe? These questions are important ones for anyone who wants to escape the rat race and the treadmill to nowhere in 2024.
Read on to learn more about the research behind the pitfalls of New Year’s resolutions and discover helpful strategies to help you navigate 2024.
Drawing on insights from the work of neuropsychologist Julia DiGangi, a significant area of focus is on understanding how individuals respond to stress and the impact of self-defeating behaviors, which she refers to as the "Overs." These encompass familiar habits like overworking, overachieving, overthinking, overexplaining, overgiving, overcommitting, and overaccommodating.
The Overs, in essence, are coping mechanisms aimed at creating psychological safety. When faced with anxiety, stress, frustration, or uncertainty, our brain's threat networks activate, prompting compensatory behaviors to alleviate fear. For example, overworking may be a response to the stress associated with potential disapproval from a boss.
Microdosing psilocybin is an helpful practice to find more success without the harmful effects of the “Overs”. Order the Brain Power Microdose for an optimal 2024
However, the very Overs intended for self-protection often become a source of psychological danger in our lives. High-achievers acknowledge the negative impact of overfunctioning but justify it as necessary for staying "relevant" or "on top." Regardless of the terminology, the underlying neurobiology remains the same: overdoing harms our well-being.
The brain's powerful cravings can perpetuate overfunctioning. Consider overachieving – often believed to enhance productivity. Surprisingly, a 2018 meta-analysis revealed no correlation between actual performance and the perfectionism typical of overachievers. Furthermore, overachieving carries significant costs for mental and physical health.
To break free from the grip of the Overs in the coming year, it's essential to recognize them as safety-seeking mechanisms. Understanding the deeper psychological needs driving our behavior can pave the way for much-needed balance.
Increase your sense of safety with the mindful practice of microdosing psilocybin. Order the Brain Power Microdose for maximum serenity in 2024
Here are some strategies to help you overcome overdoing in your life:
Heal Your Feelings Of Being Unsafe: Microdosing psilocybin is a key component in healing emotional and psychological wounds. By combining mirodosing with safety-focused tapping, journaling, visualization and guided meditation (as presented in The Microdose Diet) or with coaching and therapy, you will experience a greater sense of safety and less anxiety.
Set New Boundaries: Decide on a new boundary and anticipate initial discomfort. Overfunctioning is a hypervigilance strategy, and challenging it requires expecting temporary distress. Habituating to the new boundary is crucial for breaking the cycle of fear-driven behavior.
Differentiate Between Danger and Dislike: Recognize the difference between genuine danger and mere dislike. While creating new boundaries may lead to real consequences, avoiding negative feelings can be more harmful in the long run. Distinguishing between real danger and discomfort is key for personal growth.
Be Your Own Authority: Acknowledge that you might be the most influential force in your life. Overfunctioning often stems from seeking external validation, permission, or mood for psychological safety. Realizing that our inner authority is the most powerful determinant of our safety is essential for regaining control.
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As we embark on the New Year, let's challenge the notion that doing more is always better. Growth is indeed desirable, but true progress lies in understanding the role of fear in driving our behavior. By cultivating a conscious awareness of our brain's mechanisms, we can build a lasting sense of inner security – the ultimate goal for the year ahead.
The mindful practice of microdosing psilocybin supports your mood in order to reach psychological safety. Order the Brain Power Microdose for an optimal 2024
Happy New Year!!
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About The Microdose Diet
The Microdose Diet by Peggy Van de Plassche focuses on personal and professional development using alternative medicines, such as microdosing psilocybin, tapping meditation, journaling, guided meditation and visualization
I am Peggy Van de Plassche, a former banker and VC who spent 20 years in the financial services and technology industries. I now speak and write about the benefits of alternative medicines, such as microdosing psilocybin, for professional and personal growth. I created More! The Microdose Diet - the 90 Day Plan for Success, Passion and Happiness My book will be published in 2024 and available for pre-order on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com in November 2023.
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This newsletter is designed to entertain and inform, not provide medical advice. You should always consult your doctor when it comes to your personal health or before you start any treatment