WELCOME TO THE DOWNSTATE
YOUR DAY IS FILLED WITH BATTERY-DRAINING UPSTATE ACTIVITY.
DOWNSTATES ARE THE BUILT-IN MOMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT WHEN YOU CAN CHARGE BACK UP.
NEW
RELEASE
ENERGY EBBS
& FLOWS
GROWTH IS NEVER
A STRAIGHT LINE
Whether you’re seeking intellectual, emotional, physical, or spiritual growth, this zig-zag line illustrates that living and learning is a bumpy path requiring bursts of effort that run down your resources and exhaust you. That exhaustion is where your Downstate begins.
LIFE FOLLOWS A RHYTHM OF UPSTATES AND DOWNSTATES.
UPSTATE
Upstates require energy, focus, action, and mobilization of mental and physical resources. It’s when you naturally have the power, sharpness, and emotional composure to tackle the day ahead. Upstates are when most stress happens, and when you are most resilient to stress.
MOTIVATION
INSTIGATION
EXCITATION
ACTIVATION
REPLENISHMENT
RESTORATION
REPAIR
RENEWAL
Downstates rejuvenate your body and mind at a cellular level, giving your heart, brain, and metabolism a rest; repairing over-trained or inflamed tissue; and allowing time to process some of the more complicated business of being human—your memories, emotions, carefully made decisions, and A-ha! moments.
DOWNSTATE
CLOSE-UP ON RECOVERYPLUS
UPSTATES AND DOWNSTATES SUPPORT YOUR PROGRESS ALONG THE RECOVERYPLUS CURVE.
For any Upstate activity that you want to improve, sports, school, relationships, etc., the quality of your growth depends on the quality of your recovery. You start at baseline (neutral figure), new experiences (e.g., a hard workout, complex topic, emotional conversation) push you to the point of exhaustion (depleted figure), which triggers RECOVERYPLUS.
During the first half (RECOVERY), engaging in Downstate processes replenishes your resources, getting you back to baseline (neutral figure). Giving even more time to your restorative Downstate (PLUS) provides the essential extra boost in resources that prepare your body, mind, and heart to reach a new, elevated level (exuberant figure).
THE DOWNSTATE RECOVERYPLUS PLAN
The Power of the Downstate provides an evidence-based, multi-disciplinary program I have developed that encompasses the most up-to-date findings from autonomic, sleep, circadian rhythms, exercise physiology, and nutrition research.
The Plan will help you resonate with a universal rhythm that has guided all living things since the beginning of life on the planet. You’ll feel greater well-being and connectedness to your body and emotions, greater patience and love for people around you, and that spark of energy that comes from getting in touch with nature and your own wild, natural self. Last but not least, replenishing the Downstate will lead to widespread improvements in health, including boosting heart health, deepening sleep, enhancing fitness, and reducing risk of chronic disease. You will live a longer, better life.