Meditation and mindfulness can be effective and produce significant results—from improved sleep to less stress, with many benefits in between. But how about the impact of mindfulness in the workplace?
We’ll explore different times and situations throughout the workday where mindfulness can boost the employee experience, resulting in a more productive and cohesive working environment—both for yourself and among colleagues.
Before diving into your inbox
When you start your workday, it’s likely that one of your first tasks is to check your inbox. Whether you’re logging back in after a weekend, opening up the computer after time off, or simply checking your email on a Tuesday, this relatively straightforward task can be anxiety inducing.
What if, instead of diving into an inbox full of messages waiting to be answered, you cleared your mind first? Listening to a short, guided meditation or taking a few moments to ground yourself with a handful of deep, intentional breaths can completely shift your mindset. Drawing awareness to the present moment through mindfulness can regulate your mood and allow you to respond to a full inbox with a fresh and open mindset.
During a meeting
Meetings are an essential part of the workday for nearly every employee, no matter the company size, industry, or location. Whether meetings take place in person or over a video conferencing platform, communicating with colleagues helps foster connection and spark inspiration.
That said, meetings—especially remote ones—are also rife with opportunities for conflict. So what does it look like to mindfully engage in a meeting? Active listening and participation create a more productive and friendly environment for all involved. Being mindful in a meeting can mean taking the initiative to cut out distraction and listening to all opinions in the room. Being mindful ultimately means being present—so in a meeting, this focus on the time at hand cultivates both respect and productivity.
Prepping for a presentation
Nothing makes you second-guess yourself like a presentation. No matter how prepared you may be for the delivery, stress and anxiety are likely lurking nearby. Practicing mindfulness helps you snuff out self-doubt; as you learn to keep thoughts from dragging up past experiences or rushing ahead, you’re able to remain present with what is, which ultimately boosts your confidence and self-compassion. Consider a walking meditation or even just getting out in nature for a few minutes before a presentation.
Maximizing focus time
Different methods for focused time work for different people. Some prefer time blocking, others use timers—but everyone needs uninterrupted sessions to get work done. Mindfulness can be especially helpful to keep the mind steady on one task or topic, and certain sounds or meditations can also assist. Specific types of music, such as naturescapes, classical music, and ambient sounds, positively affect cognitive function and concentration.
No matter your role or demographic, mindfulness is useful in the workplace. From inbox overwhelm to meeting woes, presentation trepidation, or lack of focus, adding a mindful moment to the workday can benefit any employee.
Looking to bring Calm to your workplace? Learn more about Calm Business as an employee benefit here.
