Neurobiologist Bernd Hufnagl: “Between constant stress and daydreaming: Why our brain urgently needs a break.”
Bernd Hufnagl spoke at the Wherever Whenever – Work Culture Festival as part of Orgatec 2024 on the topic of “Purposeful thinking: How we can live and work better in a digital world.” His presentation focused on the challenge that the human brain has to overcome in the face of an increasingly digital and complex world.
Dr. Bernd Hufnagl emphasized that our brains are evolutionarily designed to prefer familiar patterns, conserve energy and approach new things with caution. Today, these strategies, which were originally essential for survival, often lead to stress, overload and a restriction of openness. With the use of artificial intelligence, however, rational processes could increasingly be outsourced to machines, which would free up memory and capacity in the brain. These resources need to be used actively and sensibly in order to better navigate the complex modern world.
Bernd Hufnagl: “When we do NOTHING, we activate our brain.”
A central theme of his presentation was the importance of meaning in life and especially in the world of work. Bernd Hufnagl pointed out that people should not just “have to”, but “want to” in order to find sustainable commitment and satisfaction. To achieve this, it is important to positively influence and inspire yourself and others.
He posed the provocative question: “What do you infect yourself and others with every day? ‘ and encouraged us to expand the space for our brain by consciously ’doing nothing”. Of course, we should also get back to DOING in a timely manner. According to Hufnagl, moments of doing nothing can activate the so-called daydreaming network, which helps us to take a step back from everyday life and develop new perspectives.
Brain researchers sound the alarm: “Sitting is the new smoking.”
In his presentation, Bernd Hufnagl also emphasized that “sitting is the new smoking” – a statement that is intended to shake people up. What is meant is that sitting in the office for hours on end, often without breaks, can have similar harmful effects on health as smoking. Our bodies are not made for prolonged sitting; they need movement to stay healthy. Prolonged sitting promotes cardiovascular disease, weakens muscles and can impair productivity and concentration. Hufnagl therefore advocated regular breaks from sitting, whether through short walks, stretching exercises or simply standing up from time to time. These small changes help to promote blood circulation, refresh the mind and strengthen health in the long term – important steps for staying fit and productive in everyday working life. The brain needs breaks, the body needs exercise.
The “take-aways” from his presentation included:
- Active participation and involvement in work processes in order to be heard and to experience genuine participation.
- Promoting hope, positive expectations and resilience.
- Creating a supportive social environment in which optimism is cultivated.
Bernd Hufnagl concluded with the appeal that sometimes it is crucial to consciously do nothing in order to promote mental health and relieve the brain – an important message in a time when constant activity is taken for granted and yet conscious pausing is often neglected.
Would you like to find out more about Bernd Hufnagl or book him directly for a lecture? Please feel free to contact us: +49 (0)30 640 777 42 or contact@leading-minds.com