What is mindfulness and why has is taken over the workplace?
Mindfulness is a set of strategies and way of thinking that focuses on the here-and-now, such as the movement of breath through the body or a specific intention to accomplish.
Rooted in Taoist meditation practices and Theravada Buddhism, it has morphed into a useful tool for coping with chaos and stress of everyday living. Mindfulness, in particular, seems like a natural fit for the hurly-burly nature of the modern office, and indeed, meditation and yoga classes are now de rigueur throughout corporate workplaces.
Mindfulness in the workplace neatly straddles two contemporary phenomena: The endless workday and the rise in popularity of the “wellness” lifestyle. Ubiquitous smartphones, Wi-Fi hotspots, and chat applications like Slack have made unplugging completely from email and “urgent” requests during off-hours next to impossible. The advent of guided meditation is one easy way to hit pause on the stream of messages and demands that characterize today’s work ecosystem.
Bringing the wellness movement to offices incorporates workers into one of the biggest consumer movements of the 21st century. The global market of the wellness industry is projected to reach $815 billion by 2021, supported by a millennial population that increasingly spends on habits and experiences instead of material goods. For those who do not have the time, proximity, or funds to partake in immersive retail experiences or meditation retreats, mindfulness initiatives in the workplace bring part of the zeitgeist to them.
In addition to being a perk for employees, studies have shown that mindful exercises have a tangible effect on individual happiness, stress levels, and productivity. One pioneer in the field of workplace meditation is health insurance giant Aetna, whose CEO Mark Bertolini turned to Eastern and alternative medicine following a life-threatening accident.
Since 2010, over one-quarter of Aetna’s 50,000 employees have participated in the company’s yoga or meditation classes. Participants who took at least one class reported a 28 percent reduction in their stress levels, a 20 percent improvement in sleep quality, and a 19 percent reduction in pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Employees added 62 minutes’ worth of productivity per week, worth an estimated $3,000 savings per worker per year.
Incorporating mindfulness initiatives into the workplace serves both employer and employees. Studies continue to show that meditation increases productivity and innovation, alleviates conflict, and promotes organisational development. From an employee perspective, taking advantage of free meditation courses is a no-brainer. And for employers, offering such services benefits the organisation as much as it does the individual.
From: Asia Society
