Mindfulness at Work - how does it really work? Try a sample and let us know what you think!

‘Mindfulness’ has recently become the buzz-word across the spectrum of science, psychology and the corporate world. When people reach out for a way to lighten the burden of a frantic day – instead of grabbing the usual highly-dosed sugar snack, they are delving into sensing the movement of their breath. Strange replacement, right?

So why the hype…? And more practically, how does this help in the place that we spend most of our time – at work?

Here are 3 things to try this week to find out for yourself…. Each takes one minute or less!

Email meditation

  1. Before you open your emails in the morning, check in with what assumptions you have about what you will see/read.
  2. Then check your emails.

Phone meditation

  1. Before answering the phone, in the first 3 rings just become aware of the pace of your breath – whether it be slow, fast etc.. does not matter – just notice it. See if you can notice the sensation of air coming through your nostrils, filling up the lungs and the rise and fall of the abdomen. 
  2. Become aware of the rise and fall of the breath around the area of the abdomen. 
  3. Then answer the call.

Meeting meditation

  • Before going to a meeting, take one minute to check in with any assumptions you have about what will happen. Then become aware of your breath – you can always place a hand on the belly and/or chest to help sense its movement.
  • Then go to your meeting.

Try it for the week!

Tell us what you notice – and next week we will follow up on any of your reflections and questions, as well as some research, for the next article in Mindful Action!

Written by: Bianca King





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