cca helena lass_workplace_wellbeing.ppt

Helena LassDr.Med.- expert on internal wellbeing

Awareness andinner wellbeing asan organizationshidden asset

07/05/15, TallinnEstonia, EU

“Silent epidemic”“Crisis in global mental

healthcare”2030

…when depression alone willbe the single biggest causefor disability & death of all

health conditions.An economical and sociological

burden.

Internal wellbeing, as an assetwww.helenalass.com


We have got 15 years NOT toreach this…

People with well-functioninghands andfeet, but a paralyzedmind. Unable toperform at work ortake care of themselvesand their families.


Pan-european study by Matrix, 2014: “workplace related costof Depression in Europe is 617 billion € / year”:• workplace related (absenteeism ect) €272billion,• lost in productivity €242 billion,• direct healthcare costs €63 billion,• disability leaves €39 billion.Biggest costs are non-direct, their size difficult to estimate !

What is the main tool forwork in modern society?#e “head”?

Money without “brains” has no value.Brain as the physical counterpart of inner wellbeing, beingthe most expensive “real-estate” of our body, consuming 20%of total energy. While neurons are built to last; Neuralnetworks are in constant change.Can personality and brain be redesigned?



Modern science concludes that we have100-200 billion neurons, each having 5000 - 10 000 connections.

#rough these connections, an endless number of networks are formed.


Although the number ofneurons does not change,the connections do all thetime. #is phenomenon iscalled “neuroplastcity”.#rough this our brainstructure is constantlysubject to change, depending on which networks are being reinforced.What activates and reinforces networks?

P. Malinowski,Liverpool University,Fron%ers inNeuroscience, Feb,2013, vol 7, ar=cle 8“Neural Mechanismisof aFen=onal controlin Mindfulness”.


Every slightest activity, internal and external, activates it’s corresponding network. Every time that we pay a$ention, let our mind wander, become aware, experience an emotion, remember or visualize something … is changing the neural activity in our brain.


Activated state(temporary) → activatednetwork → reactivatedstate → reinforced network(lasting).Strongly reinforcednetworks are called habits.

How many of your bene%cial states have you turned into a stable neural structure? As temporary activation may be pleasant, but without repetitive installation, has no lasting value.


SickerNot as smart

SadderPoorerRigid

In!exible

HealthierSmarterHappier

WealthierMore creative

More innovative

With well established self-derived skills and wise internal action,we have a continuous ability to design and redesign our brains.With neuroplasticity, this ability expands through entire life-span.


From the functional aspect, 5 levels can be differentiated:

Brain corresponds to physical (I).#e internal consists further of:• Emotional (II)• Mental (III)• Intellect- awareness (IV)• #e subjective Self (V)

Self-derived skills are needed to explore and manage the internally experienced function and activities.

#e majority of problems in internal wellbeing andmental health are offset and ampli%ed by a de%cit

in self-derived skills.



Instead of ready-made solutions, awareness as a universal skillenables insightful andcreative solutions in given context and available resources.

Awareness forms the foundation of self-derived skills.

It is evident, that mind-wandering is interconnectedwith decreased cognitive ability (Smallwoodand Schooler,

2006; McVayand Kane, 2009; Kam and Handy, 2013) andhigher prevalence of mood disorders (Killingsworth andGilbert, 2010).

Poor coping strategies with emotions and mentality,for example suppression and rumination, enhance therisk for mood disorders (Nolen- Hoeksema, Wisco, jaLyubomirsky, 2008).


Applied awareness creates potential for greater self-awareness, improved impulse control, and decreasedemotional reactivity to challenging events (#ompson &Gauntle$-Gilbert, 2008).

#ere is evidence on improvement of a$ention skills(Bogels, Hoogstad, van Dun, de Schu$er, & Restifo, 2008) andquality of sleep (Bootzin & Stevens, 2005).


Awareness can reduce stress and improve self-con%dence, relationships with others, a$ention,optimism and self-esteem (Fisher, 2006; Schonert-Reichl &Lawlor, 2010).

Contrary to mind-wandering and a$ention-de%cit,applied awareness is bene%cial for the evolvement ofgreater creativity, psychological 'exibility andequally important in retention into and retrievinginformation (om memory (Ritchhart & Perkins, 2000).



1. Our brain sustains it’s “plasticity”2. Self-derived skills (ability to manage the internal arena of

wellbeing) are based on awareness3. #e de%cit in self-derived skills leads to problems in

internal wellbeing and mental health4. #is costs companies signi%cant amounts of money5. Additionally, smart people are lost to work-force, unable to

provide results and positive impact.6. Internal wellbeing is an asset in every organization, where

humans use their “head” to work and are in charge ofimportant tasks.

Applied awareness, as an assetwww.helenalass.com

Additionally to the objects, that we can become aware of, an abilityto direct awareness itself is one of the greatest assets. #is enablesreality-based contact, deliberately inhibiting unnecessary mentalactivity, resulting in increased satisfaction, precision and results.Feeling alive, having personal responsibility and being in charge.


Awareness does not equal information. Instead, it is a universal tool, to establish contact with objects and derive information (om them. #e objects can be external (sounds, smell ect) or internal (emotional, mental). Everybody has it.To align awareness with the activity. Automaticism vs Self-will.


Becoming aware of/ noticing:- a person ‘s message (talk) - options to contribute- the effect emotions have- unnecessary activities

What all do we need to notice in order for Everything to run smoothly?

Where and when at all do we not need to be present? Aware?


Companies include workplaceawareness programs tohave more happy, healthy andwell performing people at work.

cca helena lass_workplace_wellbeing.ppt

Healthcare