Mindfulness In The Workplace

5 mindfulness ways to support wellbeing in the workplace

People are becoming more familiar with the act of mindfulness as it impacts and improves our everyday life. We believe mindful practice shouldn’t be exclusive to life outside the office but inside the office also.  Studies have shown that in knowledge-based economies where workers use their cognitive skills above everything else, workers and employers alike need to nurture their minds to make informed, resourceful decisions. Taking even 10 minutes from your work day to realign your beliefs has been proven to show better work-life balance and help create a better general output in quality and delivery of work. This blog will help employers best support employees with their well-being at work through simple mindful practices.  
Key Takeaways:

  • Have a designated space for calm
  • Talk about it and lead by example
  • Set clear reminders and dedicate time to practice
  • You don’t have to know everything to begin
  • Meditation and walking

1. Have a designated space for calm 

Introducing a quiet room can have so many benefits at work, for one it shows everyone that wellness is valued at the company and that mental and physical health and wellbeing are key and lastly that there is a physical space to go to when your mind needs a rest. Often being led from meeting to meeting we don’t have a moment to truly ‘catch our breath’ unless we are on the toilet! These calm rooms or often branded ‘recharge rooms’ allow employees and employers alike to take some reflection time, recollect thoughts and to refocus their energies into a higher space. At Diversify careers we believe comfortable seating, ambient lighting as well as floor space for prayer, meditation or exercise all create the perfect space for calm. Some companies have also gone to the extent of having no phone zones which allows more present thinking. Studies have shown that having a designated space for calm has improved overall moods, creates better performance at work and reduces the amount of stress and tension at work.

2. Talk about it and lead by example

Having open and clear conversations about mindfulness will not only inform and educate the team but you are also subconsciously signalling that it is okay to talk about it at work. Another great way to get your employees engaged in wellness at work is by leading as an example. By championing mindful practices in the workplace, you are physically showing the team that taking care of your mind and body helps you achieve overall success and the two come as a pair. Further, being able to speak about topics such as these at work can really show to an employee that you truly care about their wellness at work.

3. Set clear reminders and dedicate time to practice

Research has shown staggering rates of burnout and even more so since the pandemic. Having a team whose stress levels are high jeopardises creativity and productivity let alone the impact it has on the health of your employees. Dedicating time to practice mindfulness at work can often be put to the bottom of the todo list, often overlooked when ‘bigger’ ‘more important’ things need to be done in the workplace but actually work shouldn’t be solely a tickbox exercise, more so investing in your employees and taking the time out of your workday is more beneficial for everyone. Mindfulness is not a practice which will take huge chunks of time from your work day, and can be done in the office and at home. Employers can take some time at the start of a meeting for example by encouraging breathwork, or asking the team to just close their eyes and reflect, even genuinely asking the group how they are feeling, what they are grateful for etc which lets everyone have that moment of being mindful at work. Every employee is different so different options are important for bringing wellness to work for everyone. Creating mini reminders can be another solution for staff to practice sometimes at the start of the day for example which can enable a real positive focus to the day. For others it may just require encouraging the team to make their work more meaningful to them, adding purpose overall adds joy into what they are doing and thus a better outcome for all. Avoiding practices such as multi-tasking and focusing on the present can help feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Inspire your team to practice having a GROWTH mindset as this is key to having success in any career. This can be done through asking your team to set small goals and habits daily and weekly for themselves that they wish to achieve everyday and week. Finally reminding the team to stretch and take a walk can help physically and mentally.

4. You don’t have to know everything to begin

Often as employers we feel we need to be experts in a field to even talk about certain topics however with mindfulness this doesn’t need to be the case. If you feel like you and your team could benefit from extra learning and courses there are a plethora at your disposal online.  Apps such as Headspace have subscription services for companies that are budget friendly and a fantastic way to introduce your team to mindful practices from the convenience of their phone. Signing up to courses and doing collective work together with the team such as mindfulness classes have been proven to be extremely beneficial in team building as well as seeking expert advice from certified instructors. These classes can be industry specialists or general health and well-being on topics such as parenting, mental health or even good relationships.

5. Meditation and walking

Introducing the team to practice meditation at work in the calm space or a space away from their working area can be highly beneficial for the mind and body, mindfulness proactivates calmness, improved psychological balance and an overall improvement in health. It can be a massive stress relief, build inner resiliency, help create good relationships at work, better decision making and overall improved mental and physical health. Often the amount of people who do not take a break at work is shocking, ensuring all your team have taken some time outside to just walk, get some fresh air and have something to eat can make a huge difference. Allowing your team to set their intentions for the rest of the day, focus on the elements when they are outside or even just turning their phone off for a short while on their lunch break will surely impact your team’s performance for the better.   We would love to hear if you have tried any of these tips at work to help introduce or elevate your wellness strategies at work.  
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