What is brain health?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines brain health as a condition that permits an individual to reach their maximum potential throughout their life, regardless of the existence or lack of disorders. This includes the cognitive, sensory , social-emotional, behavioral, and motorfunctions. In simple terms, brain health means how well your brain works to carry out its functions like thinking, remembering, and interacting with others.
Why is brain health important?
The brain, spinal cord, and networks of nerve cells, or neurons, dispersed throughout the body form the nervous system. The nervous system is involved in the production and control of emotion, thought, behavior, and vital body functions including breathing and heart rate. The human brain facilitates a wide range of complex tasks. It also acts as the nerve system’s command center. The ultimate secret of lifelong wellness and good health is to keep one’s brain in good condition.
Factors including physical health, diet, the surroundings, education, relationships, interactions, and life experiences affect how your brain develops and responds in certain situations. By addressing these factors, brain health can be optimized to promote well-being. This not only benefits mental and physical health but also has positive social and economic effects. Improving brain health lowers the incidence and cost of neurological conditions. Thus, brain health is important for well-being and socio-economic progress.
Why should we focus on brain health at the workplace?
Individual’s actions, thoughts, creations, struggles, and meaningful relationships are powered by the brain. One can facilitate collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and creativity with optimized brain function, all of which are important skills in the workplace.
Brain health, mental health, and overall well-being are interconnected. Do you know that 15% of working adults worldwide suffer from a mental illness? Globally, approximately 12 billion working days are lost per year to depression and anxiety. Considering it’s our thinking faculty that helps us move forward, individually and collectively, this ‘brain-drain’ could be catastrophic.
In the absence of adequate support, mental health issues can surface and can impact an individual’s confidence and sense of self, the ability to work efficiently, the frequency of leaves, and the ability to keep or find a job. A mental disorder may change how a person behaves, thinks, feels, and functions. Mental disorders have been associated with changes in the brain’s structure, functions, and chemistry. Brain health includes mental health and social-emotional health. Having good brain health may therefore promote good mental health and well-being. Healthy people are happy. They won’t call in sick and will continue to be productive at work. The cornerstone of successful businesses and happier communities is a healthy and happy workforce. So how to ensure a brain-healthy and happy workforce?
Strategies to promote brain health and productivity in the workplace
For most adults, the maximum opportunity for brain health growth is usually presented at the workplace. Hence, the workplace must adopt strategies to promote brain health and productivity, and overall wellness of the workforce.
Training managers to promote health and wellness
Leaders in an organization can work towards creating a mentally healthy and supportive work culture. Effective and trained managers and supervisors bolster employees’ mental health and wellness. Reduction in employee departures and absenteeism can be achieved by training managers on how to assist employees and identify indicators of stress and mental health problems. Managers can be taught to respect the work-life balance of employees. This will further enhance satisfaction among employees.
Enhancement of neuroplasticity (the brain’s adaptability)
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s innate ability to reorganize its synaptic connections (the junction where nerve cells connect and communicate with each other) and neural pathways Neuroplasticity aids in lifelong learning, healing of brain injury, and enables efficient adjustment to changing conditions and surroundings. It enables one to learn, adapt, and grow. These abilities are essential not just to survive but also to succeed in today’s dynamic and unpredictable work environment.
By regularly engaging in learning and personal development methods, one can effectively tap into the potential of neuroplasticity and achieve notable improvements in job performance, productivity, and career progression. For example, training programs that involve using most senses can increase brain plasticity, boost memory retention, and learning of new skills. Similarly, new and difficult tasks can promote neuroplasticity and cognitive agility (the brain’s adaptability).Cognitive agility is a quality that employers in the modern workforce place a premium on. Knowledge of neuroplasticity can provide organizations with the necessary direction to boost productivity and performance.
Promoting a fit way of living
Consistent engagement in physical activity has been associated with improved cognitive performance and neuroplasticity through increased brain blood flow. Workplaces should encourage exercise, have in-house gyms and organize team-building initiatives. The health of the brain is also greatly influenced by adequate nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids can promote neuroplasticity and are essential for brain function. Workplaces should think about setting up nutritional education seminars and offering healthy food options in cafeterias. Managing stress is crucial because chronic stress can impair the brain’s capacity to adapt and function. Workplaces can offer stress management programs that involve mindfulness training (focusing on the present) or relaxation techniques to lower the stress effects on brain health.
Ergonomic considerations
When it comes to how well employees perform in their roles, workspace and equipment design can make a big difference. Ergonomics may help workplaces to protect their employees from illness and work-related injuries. The field of ergonomics applies knowledge of human behavior, capacities, and restrictions on the creation of surroundings, tasks, machines, equipment, and systems for the safe and productive use of people. Workstation design affects employees’ emotional and physical well-being. The use of computers for prolonged time may promote stress and visual discomfort. This can give rise to non-favorable working conditions that negatively affect mental health. Knowledge and application of ergonomics can create workstations and workspaces that allow movement and proper posture.
