How to Implement Mindfulness in your Work Routine

You're reading How to Implement Mindfulness in your Work Routine, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Mindfulness is often described as the state of being conscious or aware of the present moment, your thoughts and your feelings. It’s a great tool that can offer you clarity, calmness and stress-relief, even in the most intensive of work environments. Including meditation techniques and practices into your everyday work routine can have positive benefits on both your physical and mental health, as well as your productivity!

What benefits does mindfulness offer?

There are many benefits to increasing your mindfulness or practicing meditation that will impact your everyday life. It’s especially beneficial in a busy work environment where stress runs high and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.

Improves overall health and well-being

Practicing mindfulness in the workplace gives you the agency to enjoy and appreciate the moment you are in and gives you the mindset to form deeper connections with others. It can reduce the impacts of psychological stress, which in turn aids in heart health and immune response, and provides a coping mechanism for anxiety and mental pressures. Meditation has often been touted as an effective way to treat a number of problems including depression, anxiety, and any other mental health issues someone may be going through. 

Productivity boost

A common misconception is that slowing down or being in the moment equals a lack of productivity, when in reality the effect is the opposite. In fact, studies have shown that employees who participate in mindfulness activities every day not only produce better quality work, but more of it! Whether or not your workplace has taken the initiative to encourage mindfulness, take the power into your hands and implement some meditation into your work day.

Mindfulness techniques you can implement at work

Meditation or mindfulness does not need to be a complicated process. There are so many ways to engage mindfulness at work, and the process will look different for every individual. Use these techniques and tips as a starting point to find your own rhythm that works for you.

Basic meditation

The beauty of this technique is that it can be done anywhere, and at any skill level. It just requires you to sit quietly at your desk and shift your focus. Whether you’ve just started your meditation journey, or you are adept in the practice, this is an excellent technique to use at work.

Try it out for yourself:

• Sit at your desk with your back placed straight
• Focus on your breathing and the feeling of the air going into your nostrils and out through your mouth, or the sensation of your belly rising and falling
• Once you have narrowed your concentration, begin to widen your focus. Become aware of the sounds and sensations around you
• Embrace and consider each thought or sensation without judgement, simply acknowledge them and let it pass
• Always bring it back to focusing on your breath if your focus drifts
• Keeping your focus may be hard at first, but don’t be discouraged if you cannot let thoughts go with ease. Practice makes perfect!

Body and sensory awareness

Notice sensations around your body. Starting at your toes, notice the feelings of the body from your feet firmly placed on the floor, to your back’s posture, all the way to the top of your head. This is a great way to take your mind away from the thing causing you stress. You can also use the instructions below for sensory awareness meditation. Simply replace noticing your body, with one of the senses. For example, notice the sounds furthest away from you and slowly reel your focus in.

Give it a go:

• Start by sitting with good posture at your desk
• Notice the feeling of your feet on the floor, your legs on the chair and moving all the way up to the top of your head
• If you lose track, bring your focus back to the breath and simply begin again
• This technique helps with pulling you back into the present moment

Spending just a few minutes each day meditating at work can significantly improve your well-being and productivity levels. Mindfulness helps you deal with stressful situations, increase your self-awareness and allows you to focus on the present. Give it a go and start to notice the positive differences for yourself.

You've read How to Implement Mindfulness in your Work Routine, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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