How to build a brain-friendly work environment after COVID-19

We’re gearing up to go back to work—gradually.

And we have a real opportunity to do many things differently as we ease back into business, not because we have to (to keep us safe), but because we can. For those of us lucky enough to have been employed during the lockdown, let’s make sure we keep the best of our new ways of working as we embark on our new normal. Brain science can show us how. What’s good for brains is good for business.

Here are three things to consider:

Less is more. Brains need time to think and a change of scenery to stay fresh. Cutting down on commutes and having time for exercise and hobbies (think: cycling, cooking, quilting, and more) is great for brains. Good quality thinking takes time. Brain research shows that the “busy-ness” we’ve been addicted to is simply not how to get the best of ourselves.

Exercise makes it easier for the brain to grow and make new connections. Getting out into the green of a park reduces stress and sparks creativity. When in the pre-COVID-19 world did we have time for this? We didn’t, but we do now. Let’s keep these practices in place as we redesign our work lives.