Stress is a natural part of living; but when you are caught in a highly stressful situation your brain begins to release a number of neurotransmitters, hormones, peptides and other chemicals that can hold you hostage in that moment. Neurotransmitters are messenger molecules that pass information to other nerve cells and parts of the body in order to coordinate a specific function. Some of them are dopamine, serotonin, and melatonin. There is a whole family of neurotransmitters. Whether you feel anxious or aroused, depressed or delighted, the action of the peptides produced in the brain is responsible for how you feel at any given moment. On another level, the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS), which is part of the Autonomic Nervous System became engaged. The other part of the ANS is the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)…the SNS speeds you up, and the PNS slows you down.

Unchecked stress compromises not only your thinking, emotions and behavior in the moment; it can also greatly compromise your immune system and your overall health if it goes on chronically. It is important to recognize when you are in the throes of a stress attack and as well when you have been under “chronic” stress. Stress is cumulative, meaning that when you are above the stress threshold (the limit beyond which you are going to experience negative issues) the longer you are above the threshold line the more your system is going weaken. That is why you must be self-aware as much as possible in order to recognize when you are overly tense, caught in negative emotions, experiencing negative self talk, and generally revved up to an over-the-top RPM. You must anticipate when your stress levels are going beyond the threshold by managing your stress on an ongoing basis. Some of the ways to do that are through eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, getting enough rest, using meditation, positive self-talk, exercise and identifying mental/emotional tools and techniques that can help you shift from stressful states to empowering states.   Your “internal data” the T + E + B (your thoughts, emotions and behaviors) comprise a critically important component of your A-Game. You must attend to your internal data when you trade just as you must attend to the mechanical data (everything having to do with the markets). We will teach you mental and emotional tools to bring your A-Game to the platform and keep it there and in the process manage stress levels. Trading is serious business and you must be prepared with the best that you have in order to do battle in the trading trenches.