In today’s fast-paced world it is more important than ever to manage workplace stress, and as managers and team leaders it is imperative that you take steps to improve the overall quality of employee wellbeing. One of the things that you can consider is mindfulness meditation which is a simple yet powerful practice that can help the employees focus on the task at hand. 

 

What is mindfulness meditation at work?

Simply put, it is a type of meditation that focuses on the present moment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgement. Mindfulness in the workplace involves being present in the moment, applying all focus to one task rather than juggling multiple responsibilities at once, and not judging your innate intelligence. It encourages a growth mindset. 

 

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to have a number of benefits for employee wellbeing, including:

Reduced stress

Employees who practice mindfulness meditation focus on the present moment and task, which is effective in keeping out negative thoughts and emotions, thereby reducing stress. 

Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can help to reduce stress levels by up to 50%.

 

Improved focus and concentration

Mindfulness meditation can help employees to improve their focus and concentration by teaching them how to direct their attention and resist distractions. Mindfulness meditation enables employees to take one task at a time, prioritize and leave out anything that does not add value to their work. 

 

Increased creativity and problem-solving skills

Mindfulness meditation can help employees increase their creativity and problem-solving skills. It essentially teaches them how to think more clearly and come up with new ideas, which not only improves their quality of work but also increases their efficiency and interest in the task at hand. 

Improved emotional intelligence

Mindfulness meditation can help employees in improving their emotional intelligence by teaching them how to better understand and manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

Emotional intelligence enables employee to work together in a peaceful manner, prioritising collaboration and healthy teamwork in order to complete the tasks. 

Reduced burnout

All the aforementioned points prove that mindfulness meditation can help employees to reduce burnout. Mindfulness meditation teaches employees how to take care of themselves, both physically and mentally, and enables them to understand how to listen to their bodies. This in the long run helps employees see how work affects their wellbeing, and take necessary action in their daily lives to minimise stress. 

 

In addition to these benefits, mindfulness meditation can also help employees to:

Improve their sleep quality

Increase their energy levels

Reduce their risk of chronic diseases

Improve their relationships with co-workers and supervisors

Feel more connected to their work

Experience greater job satisfaction

 

If you are an employer, you may want to consider offering mindfulness meditation as a wellness benefit to your employees. A great way to do this is by incorporating storytelling through mindfulness apps in the workplace. Storytelling is imaginative, dynamic and encourages individuals to think creatively. Storytelling deepens our understanding of ourselves and others, and helps us be more playful in our interactions, thus allowing us to heal, grow and transform. 

 In a world where the constant hustle makes it difficult for people to find those moments of calm, these additional tips can help incorporate mindfulness meditation into the workplace:

 

• Offer mindfulness meditation classes or workshops to your employees.
• Provide your employees with access to mindfulness meditation apps or websites.
• Encourage your employees to take short mindfulness breaks throughout the day.
• Encourage your employees to tune into calming stories that help bring back their attention to the present moment
• Create a mindful work environment by decluttering your workspace, providing natural light, and playing calming music.

 

In the recent past, psychologists all over the world have turned to mindfulness for therapeutic purposes and even created manualised protocols to treat chronic conditions like stress and pain. Mindfulness meditation has shown many changes in the brain structure. The most important effect has been seen on the anterior cingulate cortex which is the region associated with attention. The fronto-limbic networks involved in emotional and stress regulation have also seen positive results. Thus it would be safe to say that meditation has the potential to affect attention, awareness, efficiency and productivity of an employee. 

Ongoing studies are going a step further to say that mindfulness meditation has the potential for treatment of clinical disorders too, which is why it is being considered by large-scale organizations as a part of their wellness programs.

 

By taking these steps, you can help your employees to reduce stress, improve their focus and concentration, and increase their creativity and problem-solving skills. This can lead to a more productive and positive work environment for everyone.