wellnesswaves.me What would it be like if people in your work environment were calmer? If they could communicate more clearly? If they acted with a focus on the present, without so much anxiety? If creativity flowed easily, without compromising concentration and productivity?
Doesn’t it seem like all of this is a dream? While idealising might not be the best course of action, there are approaches we can consider and use that will significantly improve the culture within the company. Mindfulness shines out among these tactics.
In this article, we will better understand what this technique consists of and how it can benefit work environments. Are you curious? So, continue reading below and learn more about this powerful mental tool!
What is mindfulness and how should it be practiced?
It is a practice very similar to meditation, in which we focus our full attention on the present time. The idea is to be here and now, aware of the thoughts that are going through your mind, avoiding thoughts outside the present, but without judgment.
Over time, these improvements can be felt through the practice, leading to focusing on the present and an underpinning ease of attachment to the past and concerns over the future: reduced stress and anxiety, improved productivity and focus, better decision-making and creative thinking, self-knowledge, and the fortification of mental health.
The individual is supposed to search for a quiet location for practicing mindfulness, where during the practice no one will disturb them—this can amount to 5 to 10 minutes per day. The idea is for the individual to find something that brings their attention to the present moment. This “something” can be your breath, a body scan, nonjudgmental observation of your thoughts, or even full awareness of daily activities such as taking a shower or washing dishes.
It’s not about “emptying” the mind, but bringing it to the now, focusing on a single aspect. To do this, eliminate distractions and find a comfortable position. However, if any distraction arises in your mind, do not become irritated or sad. Just let the thought go and return to focusing on the present.
How can this practice benefit the work environment?
Practicing mindfulness is mental training, which becomes increasingly easier and more powerful as we acquire the practice over time. People who adopt this habit are able to lead their professional lives more efficiently and calmly. Therefore, there are organizations that offer a space and even daily mindfulness sessions for employees to enjoy its benefits.
Check out the main advantages of frequently practicing mindfulness in the workplace.
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Reducing stress and promoting mental health
People who practice mindfulness frequently are able to better manage their emotions, which promotes mental health. They are people who deal better with stressful situations, precisely because they understand that life’s adversities are temporary states, just like thoughts and emotions.
Scientific research links the practice to both a decreased risk of mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as assistance in treating these diseases. As a result, people are able to contribute their increased level of tranquilly to the workplace in addition to living more peaceful lives.
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Increased concentration and productivity
Regular mindfulness practice aids in the development of concentration and focus. This talent helps people pay attention to what they are doing in the present moment by making them less susceptible to distractions.
In professional life, this characteristic is great, after all, distractions exist in abundance in today’s world, including in companies. Therefore, focus allows people to ignore these distractions and not lose their train of thought and productivity on a daily basis. This way, everyone on the team wins.
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Improvement of the organizational climate
It is known that humor is a contagious factor. This means that we all sometimes influence and are influenced by the moods of others. If the practice of mindfulness is a routine for people on a team, they will be able to develop serenity and, more than that, transmit this serenity to each other.
In general, we understand that this technique has the power to make environments more respectful, peaceful and calm, without the rush and anxiety typical of most companies today. This makes people enjoy working in that place more and considerably reduces conflicts, which facilitates talent retention.
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Fostering creativity and innovation
In people with stress under control, creativity flows more naturally. Creative blocks are avoided when we are in good emotional health. Furthermore, visualization exercises make minds more receptive and open, which helps us find solutions to the problems we face, often outside of conventional answers.
In companies, this means that employees become more creative, coming up with ideas that make work easier or improve it. This is everything that organizations are looking for, especially because, in times of fierce competition, innovations are the tiebreaker that puts them ahead of the competition.
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Better decision making
Finally, we can mention that the regular practice of mindfulness brings people more mental clarity. Thoughts that were once confusing become, little by little, simpler and easier to process. As a result, the judgments we make about situations can become clearer and more constructive.
This does not mean that emotions lose their importance, but rather that we are able to balance them with rational thinking, which allows us to evaluate the pros and cons of the situations we experience. Consequently, we make more conscious decisions, which helps us both in our personal lives and at work — even benefiting the performance of organizations.
In short, the practice of mindfulness can positively transform the lives of those who practice it, including their careers. In organizations, this means having workers who are healthier, more productive, creative, innovative, patient, emotionally intelligent and capable of making positive decisions.
