Chronic stress harms our mental health. Fortunately, our brains are adaptable, allowing us to take action to improve our mental well-being. This is confirmed by internationally renowned neurologist Steven Laureys in an inspiring video available exclusively through My Mind Premium by AG. In the video, Steven Laureys presents the scientifically proven benefits of meditation and even offers a short breathing exercise for immediate relaxation. Curious to learn more? Watch the video and share it with your employees, along with other tools to enhance their resilience.
The harmful effects of stress
Prolonged exposure to stress has neurotoxic effects, manifesting in various symptoms such as tension headaches, irritability, concentration problems, anxiety, and depression. Scans show that certain parts of the brain shrink under these conditions. As you know, these situations lead to increased absenteeism.
The good news? Thanks to neuroplasticity, we can train our brains to be more cognitively flexible, improving our ability to manage stress, solve problems, be creative, and develop social skills.
Meditation: mindfulness for better mental and physical health
With My Mind Premium, an additional service available in the MyAG Employee Benefits app, you provide your staff with the tools they need to improve their mental well-being at their own pace. Steven Laureys, a strong advocate of meditation, describes it as “mental gymnastics” that makes the brain more flexible. “By meditating, we connect with our bodies and focus our attention on our feelings. The goal is not to suppress these emotions but to recognise, name, and manage them differently.”
Meditation for beginners
Steven Laureys has conducted scientific research on meditation. “What happens in the brains of Buddhist monks and Matthieu Ricard during meditation is spectacular. We have observed the same phenomenon in top athletes and successful entrepreneurs who practice meditation.”
But not everyone is an expert in meditation… “Even beginners can see positive effects. Everyone can meditate and find what works best for them. Do what you can; every minute counts and can make a difference.”
Another valuable tip: don’t wait until your body forces you to stop, but proactively take the first step towards a healthier mental lifestyle, combined with adequate sleep and exercise, a healthy diet, and social relationships. Read the interview to learn more.
Meditation can have as much impact as medication.
Interested in discovering the fascinating perspective of neuroscientist and meditation advocate Steven Laureys?
We have a sneak peek of the video ready for you. Take a look here! Once you subscribe to My Mind Premium, your employees can watch this inspiring keynote and much more in their MyAG Employee Benefits app.
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Who is Steven Laureys ?
Dr Steven Laureys is a neurologist. As a neuroscientist, he conducts pioneering research on consciousness and knowledge acquisition and has extensive expertise in cognitive disorders, traumatic brain injuries, neurorehabilitation, as well as sleep, memory, and motor disorders, chronic pain/headaches, and stress-related symptoms.
Steven Laureys believes it is his duty as a doctor and scientist to bridge the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience and what we can do daily for our mental health. This is the perspective from which he has written, among others, “Meditation is Good for the Brain,” “Meditation is Good for Children,” and “Sleep is Good for the Brain.”