When you return to the office, there are also benefits for your mental health
Back to work is synonymous with routine. A routine which, although it carries the syndrome of the so-called post-holiday, has several benefits, especially in our health, both physical and mental. It’s all about habits. When we abandon our uncontrolled schedules and restore our daily habits that make us function automatically without having to think, the brain uses less energy that we can use for other things in our day.
Controlling blood pressure, sleep quality or blood sugar levels can benefit the brain, but there are other factors that are also beneficial to our mental health. As some research shows, the daily habits and social interaction we have at work can reduce the risk of memory loss, among other symptoms of cognitive decline.
Having a social life at work is good for our mental health
Having a social life at work is good for our mental health
It’s no secret that an active social life is very beneficial for our mental health. Humans are social creatures who need to interact with other humans to share experiences or feel integrated into a community. Work is almost half of our day, so we want to create a good atmosphere.
It is a study by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) that indicates that the more active the social life at work, the happier we will be and the more we will protect the brain from aging. According to research, relationships with our peers help maintain mental sharpness and memory power.
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The same study shows that work that stimulates the mind will also be beneficial in preventing mental decline, as we will exercise more of our creativity and imagination. Not only that, walking to work is the best antidote to a sedentary lifestyle, which will reduce cardiovascular risks such as thrombosis, especially if we walk or cycle to the office.
Routine is synonymous with good habits
Routine is synonymous with good habits
As we said before, work is synonymous with routine, and routine is usually synonymous with good habits. During the holidays, we tend to indulge more with food and drink more alcohol than usual. However, when we return to the office, we return to our diet and those afternoons or mornings of sport to switch off.
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When we exercise, we release endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, hormones known as the quartet of happiness which will help us overcome the well-known post-holiday syndrome, which in most cases disappears approximately a week after returning to work if we find ourselves in a work environment where we work calmly.
Returning to work also boosts our self-esteem and makes us face new challenges, which forces us to exercise our minds and keep them active.
The 6 Pillars of Good Mental Health
According to the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH)
1
Be social
two
Eat a varied diet.
3
Sleep between 7 or 8 hours
4
Exercise an average of 2’30” per week
5
Plan a meditation calendar
6
Stimulate your mind by exploring new interests
In the study, the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) also highlighted the need for companies to promote good mental health habits. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), work provides many opportunities to promote emotional health and well-being and prevent mental illness.
Promoting health in the workplace
Workers doing stretching exercises at a business meeting in the office
Promoting health in the workplace has many benefits for both the company and the workers. An analysis published by the Harvard Business Review concluded that companies that offer comprehensive wellness programs achieve better results as productivity increases and healthcare costs are significantly reduced.
Wellness can be promoted in many ways in the workplace, from encouraging group practices to avoiding bad habits by having employees respond 24/7 to email requests.
