Gabrielle Lyon: Does Sleep Deprivation Really Damage Your Brain? | Dr. Tommy Wood

Key Takeaways

• Practice slow-paced breathing with longer exhales than inhales (e.g., physiological sigh or 3/7 breathing) to activate the vagus nerve and calm the nervous system.
• Close your eyes to temporarily reduce visual stress inputs and calm stress-related brain networks.
• Use the “quiet eye” technique by focusing purposefully on your target for a few seconds before acting, especially under stress.
• Reframe stress as enhancing before entering stressful situations to improve hormonal responses and decision-making under pressure.
• Limit sensory inputs (e.g., reduce visual or auditory stimuli) in stressful moments to better process and manage stress.

Notable Quotes

“Stress isn’t bad. It’s there to divert resources so that you can become better and stronger and adapt.”

“Just remembering that stress is usually a privilege because you’re asking something more of yourself.”

Bottom Line

Use physiological tools like breathing techniques, sensory reduction, and mindset reframing to manage stress effectively and improve performance.

Watch the Full Video