What Really Drives Your Behaviour? During the launch of my book From Behaviour To Wellbeing in Bangalore, someone in the audience asked me a question that stayed with me. “Your book describes human behaviour as one of the most important elements in the world. But is there something deeper than behaviour? Something more fundamental?” The short answer is yes. There are forces beneath your behaviour that shape how you act, react and show up. Here are a few powerful ones. Genetics We certainly carry behavioural tendencies from previous generations. Not as destiny, but as possibility. An arrogant father doesn’t guarantee an arrogant child and nurturing can absolutely shift patterns. But genetics still plays a role in predisposing us to certain behaviours, temperaments or reactions. Logic Human behaviour isn’t always rational and that’s precisely the point. For example, addictions, procrastination and avoidance don’t follow much logic. If you’ve ever hit the snooze button knowing fully well that you need to wake up, you understand how “logic” quietly influences behaviour in unexpected ways. Love Love makes people do things they might never have imagined. I’ve seen strong, disciplined, rational individuals become vulnerable, expressive and surprisingly soft when they’re in love. I’ve also seen it push people to stretch themselves, take responsibility and commit more deeply than they ever thought possible. Love changes behaviour in ways that few other things can. Attachment A behaviour becomes a habit when repeated, but it becomes hard to change when attachment forms. This doesn’t apply only to major addictions. Even something simple like being “attached” to your morning coffee can make it difficult to break the pattern. Attachment reinforces behaviour more strongly than most people realise. These deeper drivers don’t exist in isolation. They influence how you behave, the decisions you make, your wellbeing, your emotional world and the trajectory of your growth. So while behaviour is one of the most important dimensions of your life, it’s often shaped by deeper forces working quietly beneath the surface. Understanding these fundamentals and working on them can help you change old patterns, build new behaviours and move towards a state of greater wellbeing. Reflection What do you think drives your behaviour the most? Genetics, logic, love or attachment? #HumanBehaviour #LeadershipDevelopment #PositivePsychology #SelfAwareness #Wellbeing #PersonalGrowth #Coaching #Mindset #BehaviourChange #CXOCoach #PositivePsychologyCoaching #ManagingDirectorCoach #LeadershipConsultant
Vinesh Sukumaran’s Post
More Relevant Posts
-
A day before, while reading The Times of India, one statistic made me pause. A global mental health study ranked Indian young adults (18–34 years) 60th out of 84 countries in overall mental well-being. The key measure? Mind Health Quotient (MHQ). What is MHQ? MHQ (Mind Health Quotient) measures overall mental well-being —how well a person manages emotions, stress, focus, relationships, and resilience. Not just whether they have anxiety or depression. 📊 India’s Snapshot: • Young adults (18–34): Average MHQ – 33 (Distressed/Struggling range) • Adults 55+: Average MHQ – 96 (Aligned with normal mental functioning) That’s not just a gap. That’s a generational emotional divide. Our youth are not weak. They are overstimulated and under-supported. They are navigating: • Intense academic & career pressure • Constant digital comparison • Economic uncertainty • Reduced real-world connection • Rapidly shifting societal expectations In my work with young adults, I see this daily, high functioning on the outside, emotionally fatigued within. But here is the empowering truth: Mental well-being is not a trait. It is a trainable capacity. Instead of asking, ‘Why are we ranking low?’ Let’s ask, ‘What can we start doing today?’ Practical Ways to Strengthen Mental Well-Being 1️⃣ Talk openly: normalize emotional conversations, name the emotions 2️⃣ Sleep first: 7–8 hours is foundational 3️⃣ Move daily: 30 minutes improves mood regulation 4️⃣ Limit screen overload: protect mental space 5️⃣ Practice pause: 5–10 minutes of mindful breathing 6️⃣ Build real connections: face-to-face matters 7️⃣ Seek help early: counselling is strength 8️⃣ Redefine success: growth > comparison Micro habits build macro resilience. 💚 A Message to Young Adults from Mannvriksh: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are navigating a complex world. This ranking should not discourage us —it should mobilize us. The next generation does not need tougher competition. They need stronger emotional foundations. And that begins with us — parents, educators, leaders, facilitators. 💬 What is one small habit you will start this week for your mental well-being? Let’s build a mentally stronger generation together. #MentalHealth #YouthWellbeing #MHQ #EmotionalResilience #Parenting #Leadership #India #MindHealth#Mannvriksh
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
Spring Reset: Preventing Burnout During the Time Change As we approach daylight saving time, many high-achieving professionals feel pressure to “reset” and increase productivity. But for women already navigating chronic stress and burnout, seasonal shifts can further dysregulate sleep, mood, and energy. In my latest blog post, I explore: • How the time change impacts the nervous system • Why burnout isn’t a motivation problem • Practical ways to recalibrate this spring If you’re a high-achieving woman in California seeking therapy for anxiety, burnout, or boundary challenges, I’m currently accepting new clients. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g9z8Zmqv
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Burnout is a response to chronic job stressors – a stress response. This article discusses burnout and separates the facts from the myths. #stress #burnout #exhaustion #fatigue #depresonalization #cynicism #decreasedproductivity #decreasedcompetency https://lnkd.in/gnTysXxk
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Arianna Masotti: Your Burnout Isn’t a Discipline Problem — It’s a Body Problem We keep telling women to “cope better.” Meditate more. Think positively. Drink less wine. Stop emotional eating. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong system to heal? After working with thousands of women, one pattern keeps repeating itself: When the body is exhausted, the mind cannot tell the truth. Here’s the insight that changes everything👇🏽 🧠 Therapy doesn’t fail because women are broken 💥 It fails because we often try to heal before the nervous system feels safe 🏃🏽♀️ Movement isn’t self-care — it’s preparation for clarity 🫁 When the body moves, the brain becomes receptive 💬 Reflection works best after embodiment, not before 🌿 Burnout behaviours (sugar, wine, scrolling) are signals — not flaws This is why post-movement reflection unlocks honesty, self-connection, and choice. Not because women lack discipline. But because the body needs to speak before the mind can listen. ✨ When you move → you regulate ✨ When you regulate → you reflect ✨ When you reflect → you reclaim your life Connect with her HERE https://lnkd.in/gmdbRAht 💬 Three Quotes to Sit With “You don’t need another coping mechanism — you need your body back.” “When the nervous system feels safe, the truth comes out.” “Healing doesn’t start in the mind. It starts in the body.” 🧭 Key Takeaways (Save This) ✔️ Burnout is often a nervous system issue, not a mindset issue ✔️ Movement opens the brain’s window for insight ✔️ Post-workout reflection increases clarity and self-honesty ✔️ Numbing behaviours are unmet needs in disguise ✔️ Healing is embodied, not intellectual Your body is not the obstacle. It’s the doorway. 👇🏽 If this resonates, comment BODY or share this with a woman who needs to hear it. #HerStory #WomenAndWellbeing #EmbodiedLeadership #BurnoutRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #UbuntuLeadership #YourStoryMatters #WomenOver50 Connect with her HERE https://lnkd.in/gmdbRAht 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://lnkd.in/gB9wVxem
Arianna Masotti: Your Burnout Isn’t a Discipline Problem
www.linkedin.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🎙️ Our Principal Psychologist Bulent Bill Ada, MAPS MAAP was featured in ABC News today discussing evidence-based microinterventions for stress. 📰 https://lnkd.in/gUfFCjAi 📖 Free guide & resources: https://lnkd.in/gSdf6_Yv
🎙️ Pleased to be featured in @ABC News today discussing evidence-based microinterventions for stress management. 💡 Key takeaway: brief, consistent techniques (30 seconds to 5 minutes) outperform occasional long sessions. Three approaches I shared: ✅ Physiological sigh — two quick inhales, one long exhale ✅ Box breathing — the 4-4-4-4 pattern ✅ 5-4-3-2-1 grounding — sensory awareness to interrupt racing thoughts 📊 With 81% of Australian workers reporting stress and burnout, practical tools like these have never been more important. 📖 Comprehensive guide & free resources at Mind Health: https://lnkd.in/gxpgrUM8 📰 ABC News article: https://lnkd.in/gKQDZptw Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) #StressManagement #MentalHealth #Psychology #WorkplaceWellbeing #ABCNews
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🎙️ Pleased to be featured in @ABC News today discussing evidence-based microinterventions for stress management. 💡 Key takeaway: brief, consistent techniques (30 seconds to 5 minutes) outperform occasional long sessions. Three approaches I shared: ✅ Physiological sigh — two quick inhales, one long exhale ✅ Box breathing — the 4-4-4-4 pattern ✅ 5-4-3-2-1 grounding — sensory awareness to interrupt racing thoughts 📊 With 81% of Australian workers reporting stress and burnout, practical tools like these have never been more important. 📖 Comprehensive guide & free resources at Mind Health: https://lnkd.in/gxpgrUM8 📰 ABC News article: https://lnkd.in/gKQDZptw Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) #StressManagement #MentalHealth #Psychology #WorkplaceWellbeing #ABCNews
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
We hear this a lot from professionals who perform well but feel stuck beneath the surface. What looks like confidence outwardly can sometimes be social anxiety quietly driving how we prepare, perform, and show up. For high achievers, the stakes feel high, vulnerability feels risky, and “shyness” becomes a convenient label for something more complex — persistent worry about judgment, self-criticism, avoidance of certain interactions, or exhaustion after social demands. In our latest blog, we explore: • Why busy, capable people sometimes mistake anxiety for personality • How perfectionism, overthinking, and internal pressure keep anxiety hidden • What high-functioning social anxiety actually feels like under success • Why insight + support changes outcomes, not just awareness Read here: https://lnkd.in/gx6rpfQk Therapy isn’t about being “not anxious enough.” It’s about understanding the patterns that keep us stuck — even when we’re still succeeding. #mentalhealth #anxiety #socialanxiety #leadership #highachievers #professionaldevelopment #wellbeing #therapyinsights
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
MHQ: The Global Score That Reveals How Healthy Our Minds Really Are What if your mental health had a score—just like your credit score or blood pressure? That score already exists. It’s called MHQ (Mental Health Quotient). Mental health is often discussed in abstract terms. But today, science is making it measurable, trackable, and actionable. One powerful tool doing exactly that is the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) — a comprehensive global assessment developed by Sapien Labs. Unlike traditional mental health tests that focus only on disorders, the MHQ evaluates how well a person functions in everyday life. 👉 What Does the MHQ Measure? The MHQ combines 47 indicators of mental functioning into a single score, covering key aspects of life such as: 🔹 Mood & Outlook – emotional balance and optimism 🔹 Social Self – relationships and social interactions 🔹 Drive & Motivation – ability to achieve goals 🔹 Cognition – thinking, focus, and decision-making 🔹 Adaptability & Resilience – coping with change and stress 🔹 Mind–Body Connection – balance between physical and mental health Based on the score, individuals fall along a spectrum: Distressed → Struggling → Enduring → Managing → Succeeding → Thriving 👉 What the Global Data Reveals Research from the Global Mind Project highlights an important reality. ◾ The global average MHQ score is 66, which falls in the “Managing” category. ◾ On average, people feel fully functional about 70% of the time (roughly 21 days per month). ◾ Younger generations are facing greater mental health challenges. In India, the generational gap is striking: 🔸 Adults 55+ scored around 96 🔸 Youth 18–34 scored only 33 This difference signals a major shift in how modern lifestyles affect mental well-being. 👉 Why This Matters for Organizations and Society Mental health is not just a personal issue—it directly affects productivity, relationships, and decision-making. Research shows that individuals in the “Distressed” range lose 18–23 productive days per month. For leaders, educators, and policymakers, this highlights a crucial reality: 👉 Mental well-being is becoming one of the most important drivers of human performance. 👉 The Positive Side The MHQ is free, anonymous, and accessible globally. It provides individuals with a personal report and self-care recommendations, helping people understand where they stand and how they can improve. In a world increasingly focused on metrics and performance, tools like MHQ remind us of something fundamental: You cannot build a thriving society without thriving minds. #MentalHealth #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Productivity #Wellbeing #Psychology #MindHealth #SelfAwareness
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
What if relaxation wasn’t a luxury—but a life skill? A powerful new study and research paper from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) by Dr Manoj Sharma and his friends Asma Awan, Vikash Patel, Badrunnisa Hanif, Aastha Poudel, Tooba Laeeq, and Sandhya Wahi-Gururaj reframes how we think about stress in modern life. Focusing on South Asian Americans—many of whom navigate acculturative stress, identity shifts, racism, and high achievement pressures—the study explores what actually helps people start and sustain intentional relaxation practices. Manoj Sharma says, “We found that South Asians in America have acquired too much stress and they really need to inculcate de-stress techniques. Relaxation is the new skill for survival. We have forgotten its importance.” He believes, this is a huge public health concern, Using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of health behavior change, the researchers found that confidence, emotional reframing, supportive environments, and meaningful dialogue are the real drivers of lasting stress relief. Relaxation, it turns out, isn’t about spa days—it’s about structure, psychology, and community. From boardrooms in New York to Delhiites, from working mothers to students giving board exams, first-generation professionals, chronic stress has become a shared human condition. And stress not just emotional—it’s biological, contributing to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and burnout worldwide. This research reminds us that managing stress must be intentional and culturally attuned. “For South-Asian American women especially—often carrying invisible emotional and social loads—relaxation is not self-indulgence; it’s strategy.” Everyone needs a relaxation strategy, or else the burden will be huge of societal and individual stress on public health. #wellness #research #stress #anxiety #relaxation #universityofnevada
To view or add a comment, sign in
-