Chronic stress threatens brain health – it is worth protecting our most important capital

Did you forget what you were supposed to do? Does your concentration falter at the slightest distraction? Do you have difficulty making decisions? Does your work slow down?

Professor of Neurology Kaisa Hartikainen from the University of Helsinki states that your brain's executive functions may be overloaded.

– Executive functions are like a conductor who directs other brain functions, such as cognition, emotions and behaviour. It enables us to successfully collaborate or move towards goals. We also need executive functions in new, challenging and changing situations.

According to Hartikainen, executive functions are already needed in almost all work. Momentary stress can even boost their function, but chronic stress is poison for them.

– Today’s working life puts more strain on our brains than ever before. Work should be done faster and more efficiently all the time. This can lead to our brains becoming exhausted and our work pace actually slowing down.

According to Hartikainen, brain health and brain skills are our most important capital, which is worth protecting. Only then can we fullfill one’s potential, succeed at work and develop as a society.

– Brain capital is the most important resource of society and every workplace. When we realize this, we may be more prepared to make changes so that our brains can function well in the workplace, she reflects.

Masters’ Conference brought researchers and students together

Kaisa Hartikainen was the keynote speaker at the Masters’ Conference organised by Tampere University of Applied Sciences, the topic of which this year was Brain Health in Working Life.

In addition to Hartikainen, presentations were given by Neuroscientist Harris A. Eyre from Rice University in the United States, Senior Lecturer Pipsa Tuominen from TAMK, and Professor Agustín Ibáñez from the BrainLat Institute in Chile. The opening remarks were given by TAMK’s President Mika Hannula.

The Masters’ Conference is held annually at TAMK, and is intended especially for master’s students, alumni, TAMK staff and partners. This year, there were just under 200 participants online and on site, and the recording of the event has already been watched hundreds of times on Yle Areena.

Three TAMK Master of Social Services and Health Care students were responsible for the practical arrangements and hosting of the conference as part of their studies.

– At TAMK, it is important for us to also involve students in organizing our studies, emphasizes Minna Törnävä, Head of Degree Programme. 

The event also kicked off the BraHEdu project (Brain Health Education and Training Program between Finnish and Latin American Higher Education Institutions) between TAMK and the Chilean BrainLat Institute, which has received funding from the Team Finland Knowledge program.

– In the project, we are going to develop joint teaching on the topic of Brain Health and promote new international ideas and joint projects. The possibilities for cooperation have aroused a lot of international interest, says Mirva Kolonen, Lecturer in Social Services and Health Care at TAMK.

The project also includes teacher and student exchange, to jointly develop learning materials. This also supports student participation.

Exercise is medicine – also for the brain

In her presentation, Pipsa Tuominen highlighted the benefits of exercise for brain health.

According to the latest studies, exercise can improve memory, cognition and executive functions of the brain. It can also ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

– As a result of muscle activity, metabolic products are secreted that affect the neurochemical processes of the brain. In addition, exercise affects the flexibility, plasticity and resilience of our nervous system. Even a single exercise session brings benefits, but when exercise is repeated, the benefits accumulate.

All exercise is beneficial for the brain, but physical training that use all our senses, balance and coordination seem to be particularly beneficial. One example is dance, where the exercise combines socialization which is also beneficial for the brain.

Tuominen points out that it is important to break up long periods of sitting to boost the body's metabolism and refresh the brain.

– It is worth getting up and walking around a bit every now and then. Even small changes affect the brain's plasticity and executive functions, she encourages.

Brain Health in Working Life conference was held at TAMK on October 2, 2025. It was organised by TAMK School of Social Services and Health Care.