As an HR leader or business manager, you know that employee well-being has a direct impact on productivity. After certain meals, employees may feel sluggish, anxious, or irritable, while other meals can provide steadier energy. It is important to explore the connection between diet and mood, but it is easy to draw hasty conclusions that one ingredient causes negative effects.
Food affects how employees feel through energy, satiety, digestion, habits, sleep, and health over time. The gut-brain axis is complex, and a simple chain from food to brain and mood is not sufficient to explain how diet impacts the work environment.
Gut Serotonin and Mood in the Workplace
It is often said that most of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut. However, it is important to know that the peripheral serotonin system and the serotonin system in the brain have different functions. The amount of serotonin produced in the gut does not necessarily mean it directly affects employees' mood.
Improving the work environment can happen by understanding how gut microbes, immune function, and metabolism affect our employees. It is important not to assume that a specific meal always has an immediate effect on mood.
What Do Dietary Studies Show for Companies?
A meta-analysis of 16 randomized studies with over 45,000 participants showed a small average reduction in depressive symptoms after dietary interventions. This indicates that diet can have a long-term effect on employee well-being and productivity, but a universal reaction after one meal is not sufficient.
Observational studies have also found correlations between the intake of ultra-processed foods and depressive or anxiety-related symptoms. This can affect absenteeism and productivity in the company. By considering diet, leaders can create a more positive work environment.
Implement the StoppStress Program for a Better Work Environment
StoppStress is an 8-week digital stress management program designed for employees, based on memory reconsolidation. Through the use of the Harmoni app with personal AI guidance, employees can learn to manage stress and improve their mental well-being, which in turn can contribute to lower absenteeism and higher productivity.
By integrating the StoppStress program into your company, you can achieve tangible results. Companies that have implemented the program have reported a significant reduction in stress-related absenteeism, resulting in better ROI and a more positive organizational culture.
Take the Step Towards a Better Work Environment
As a leader, it is important to invest in employee well-being. Through the StoppStress program, you can help create a more productive and happy work environment. Visit stoppstress.no for more information on how to implement the program in your company.
🏢
Do You Want to Reduce Absenteeism in Your Company?
The StoppStress program uses memory reconsolidation to provide employees with lasting tools against stress. Read more at stoppstress.no →