Mindfulness
17 January 2017Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around us. It is a mental state, used as a therapeutic technique, achieved by focusing awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
Although it has its roots in Buddhism, secular mindfulness has stripped out much of the spiritual and focused on the scientific. Mindfulness is now being used in a variety of contexts including healthcare, schools, government, the services, the prison system and workplaces.
Mindfulness can support health and wellbeing in the corporate sector and has taken its place across the globe as an effective way of helping organisations to function better. It has been adopted by many organisations including the likes of Goldman Sachs, Barclays and JP Morgan.
With rapid advances in technology potentially enabling us to work 24/7, many employers and employees find themselves struggling to cope and there is a tendency to constantly multitask, the effect of which is actually to lower productivity and job satisfaction, and to increase stress. Seldom can one switch off completely, taking a toll on both our health and wellbeing in the workplace and in our personal/family life.
Through continued mindfulness practice, individuals can learn increased focus, awareness, and to pay full attention. In turn they can become calmer, clearer, happier and more creative. Scientific studies prove that our brains in fact ‘rewire’ themselves towards a more mindful attitude generally which has potential benefits in all aspects of our lives.
Mindfulness has been found to support organisations in the following ways:
- Greater productivity
- Reduced emotional exhaustion in the workplace
- Higher level of job control
- Improved decision making
- Effective time management and prioritisation
- Greater creativity and innovation
- Effective communication
- Increased motivation and engagement
- Improved attention and concentration
- Improvement in conflict resolution
- Enhanced resilience of employees
- Increased self-regulation and emotional intelligence
- Enhanced leadership skills
- Greater team effectiveness
- Increased job satisfaction
- Reduced absenteeism and turnover
Our mindfulness practitioners have been practicing mindfulness personally for many years. They are highly regarded leaders in their fields, advocates of the benefits of mindfulness, and experienced in delivering mindfulness training into the workplace.