Work-related stress is a vice that most workplaces have to deal with. In America, studies show that around 30%-40% of workers term their job as extremely stressful. This, in turn, has an adverse effect on their lives, health, and relationships. Most companies are now looking to mindfulness to combat work-related stress including Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Procter & Gamble, Raytheon, and General Mills.
What is Mindfulness?
This is a practice that made its way into the West during the late 70s. It is embraced for it helps to bring peace and balance in the lives of its devotees. Basically, mindfulness focuses on being in the present moment, and this entails clearing one’s mind of any distractions and stress that are synonymous with a typical workday.
Mindfulness focuses on one being aware of their breathing. Since mindfulness promotes being in the present moment, the breath is used for grounding one in the present. When one notices their breathing, they are immediately transported to the ‘now.’ Additionally, when one breathes, they release stress. They are no longer plagued by fear as they are in the present. This, in turn, leads to effective and productive interaction with people.
Various benefits result from mindfulness. It has been used to assist in treating as well as improve on chronic pain and the numerous symptoms that result from obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety. In workplaces, mindfulness allows people to become calm and clear-minded amid the workplace chaos. It also helps combat the rapid decision-making that is required in work environments.
Leaders also benefit from mindfulness. When a leader embarks on mindfulness, he or she creates a ripple effect throughout the company. It also helps them remain calm and at peace especially when dealing with the chaos at work.
Getting started
When starting out, you should first establish why you want to embark on mindfulness. It could be because you want to become more productive, for health purposes or to be more effective at work. Once you have this down, the next step should be to seek inspiration. Inspiration can be explored in books, getting a teacher or a guide to lead you on. Next, you should start off the practice. It could be for a few minutes a day. If you are really looking to reap the benefits of mindfulness, you could embark on a weekend retreat or on a 10-day course. Finally, find other like-minded people such as other practitioners who will help you get deeper in practice.
Work-related stress can cause businesses and employers to lose a lot in time and money. By introducing mindfulness in the daily routine, much of this can be evaded.
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