The Office Culture Is Finally Waking Up: Why Businesses Believe In Mindfulness Training At Work
Nov 21, 2018
What do Google, General Mills and Salesforce have in common? Not only are they leading organizations in their fields, they are leading the way on bringing mindfulness training to work. Check out to see why businesses believe in mindfulness training at work!
Imagine being able to embed practices into the workplace that research demonstrates helps employees feel more aware, focused, engaged, increases their communication skills while decreasing their stress levels? Mindfulness practices can foster elements of what many would consider a dream workplace and helps make them a reality.
What exactly is mindfulness?
Put simply, it’s the quality or state of being aware (conscious) of something (e.g. an emotion). As described by a pioneer in the mindful movement Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is an awareness that involves being in paying attention in a manner that is purposeful, in the present moment and non-judgemental.
How does mindfulness help in the workplace?
The list on the benefits of mindfulness is large and the evidence to support it continues to grow with on-going research and studies. Fueled by the data, companies like Google, Target, Salesforce, General Mills (to name a few) have invested in bringing mindfulness training to their employees to improve their overall work cultures. According to Mindful Gateway Consulting, work places can be a place to thrive and develop and mindfulness can help with that.
We understand many of are too busy with work to learn all the benefits so to help narrow it down, we’re highlighting four reasons mindfulness can help you (and your organization) work better:
Increases our ability to pay attention: Our brain (like our body), needs regular exercise; mindfulness helps our brain muscles get stronger. The more we practice focused attention, the easier it becomes to do; imperative in the current state of the world where we are so heavily distracted and over-stimulated. Research shows mindfulness improves our working memory and overall cognitive functioning.
Increases productivity: We have said it before and will proudly say it again; multi-tasking is a myth! Research shows that when we think we are multi-tasking, our brain is actually shifting very rapidly from task to task. In an attempt to do multiple things at once to save time, we are actually losing time and the quality of our work can suffer. With the focused, purposeful attention mindfulness encourages, we move more to the habit of single-task completion.
Increases communication skills: A key element in success at work is success in our working relationships. Tension from time to time with a colleague can happen and mindfulness helps us become less judgmental and more empathetic. Mindful practices help us bring more attention to how we speak and listen, encouraging us to recognize any of our own biases or pre-conceived opinions. It helps us slow down to respond instead of react with a gentle reminder that everyone has their own perspective; disagreements do not have to lead to arguments.
Increases resiliency (to stress): Mindfulness can increase our awareness on our emotions while encouraging a non-judgmental approach to our emotional and physical states; practice can also lead us to be less overwhelmed and reactive to things in our external world. Mindfulness does not imply we will not encounter stress at work (or in our personal lives) but instead helps increase our ability to make conscious, healthy choices to help cope with it which can positively impact our overall well-being.
Main image Photo Credit: http://iceh.bbci.co.uk
Attention, Brain, businesses, Career, Communication, Coworkers, Employee, Featured, Google, Healthy Brain, Leadership, Meditation, Mental Health, Mindful, mindfully, Mindfulness, multitasking, Organizations, Productivity, Salesforce, Spiritual Wellness, Stress, Stress Management, Success, Target, Training, Workplace
Rachna Sethi
Author
Rachna (@thesassyspiritual) is a graduate of the Applied Mindfulness Meditation program from the University of Toronto, a certified Educator with two bachelor degrees and a diploma in Art Therapy. She's dedicated to living with a compassionate approach. Committed to helping people integrate Mindfuln...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
2024 Essential Business Communication Trends for Leaders
-
Five 2024 South Asian Bridal Trends You Won't Want To Miss
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Peachy Shades for South Asian Beauty Routines
-
Raman Kapoor Wants Women To Empower Their Lives With A Strong Health IQ
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Unlocking Success: The Power of Spiritual Quotient in the Corporate World
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
The Beauty Styles of Strong South Asian Women
-
Exploring The Femininity Of The Sari In South Asian Culture
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Did You Know Holi Could Spark Entrepreneurial Ventures?
-
Fast Beauty For The Month Of Fasting
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
Opening Ramadan's Business Potential to Canada's Growing Muslim Community
-
In Honour Of International Women’s Day Our Founder Asked 14 Women: “What Woman In History Has Inspired Your True North!”
-
Glamour Galore: Celebrity Fashion Highlights at Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant's Pre-Wedding Bash!
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
Highlighting 5 Female South Asian Fashion Designers Who Are Using Their Fashion To Empower Others
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Celebrating International Women's Month: A South Asian Perspective
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
These Bronzers Are Perfect For Your Wintery Brown Skin
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
South Asian Call Centres & AI: A Match Made In Heaven?
-
Deepika Padukone Shines At The 2024 BAFTA Awards
-
The Incredible Detail In Gaurav Gupta's Paris Collection Is Art In Motion
-
These Desi Spices Will Put You In The Mood For Valentine's Day
-
Asad Mecci & Colin Mochrie Are Ready To Change The Game With Their Hypnosis-Improv Show "HYPROV"
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Filmfare Fab:10 Best-Dressed Looks from The Red Carpet
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
Is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina A Problem For Bangladesh?
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
How Dr. Danister Perera Is Unlocking Sri Lanka's Indigenous Medical Secrets In Palm Leaves
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
The Inaugural Lit Gala Celebrated Diwali Raising Funds For Girls Education In Rural India
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Our Shopping Tips For Must-Have Beauty Products Will Save You From Going Broke
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
How The Modern South Asian Metrosexual Is Breaking Stereotypes
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Cover Story: The Durga Effect - 8 South Asian Women Championing Change
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Unemployed And Depressed: How To Keep Tabs On Your Mental Health When You Lose Your Job
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Bangladeshi Garment Workers Clash With Police Over Wage Protest