Mental wellbeing is a hot topic, but the tools HR has available to address it are limited. A new category of tools is on the way that use biofeedback to improve mood, reduce anxiety and maybe even reduce age-related cognitive decline.
Biofeedback involves monitoring the brain via an EEG headset and showing the subject the result. Biofeedback itself is not new and in fact, was quite the faddish topic in the 1970s. What has changed since then is both improved academic research and more affordable tools. An EEG headset such as “Mindwave” sells for around $100, and the software to provide biofeedback typically runs on a smartphone or tablet.
The most straightforward applications aid meditation by playing music when you hit the right mental state (e.g. Muse, xSensa Flow). Work on combating cognitive decline (xSensa Ride) is still in the research stage.
