Meditation at work
Imagine the company you are working at is providing you with daily on-site meditation sessions. When you come to work, you practice guided meditation together with your colleagues, before you start your workday. Wouldn't you like that?
It might sound like a utopia but it seems like this is a powerful incentive valued by some of the smartest companies nowadays. Recent studies show that companies save $4.58 for every $1 spent on wellness, according to Meditation.Works. Additionally, researchers have found that meditating 15 minutes per day will reduce stress levels by 40%.
Another significant benefit of meditation is the “relaxation response,” which is the ability for your body to release chemicals and brain signals that increase blood flow to the brain and slows organ activity.
Meditating at the workplace has many benefits. It increases focus and productivity, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and anxiety, improves energy levels and sleep patterns, mood and emotional health, boosts employee morale, reduces employee absenteeism and enhances cognitive function. Best of all; it requires no equipment or special training.
It is okay if your employer is not keen on providing you and your fellow colleagues with meditation sessions practiced as a team - yet. You can still meditate at work during your break. Here is how:
- Sit comfortably at your chair.
- Close your eyes.
- Breathe deeply in a rhythmic pattern.
- While you are breathing deeply, turn your focus on each breath.
- As you become more experienced, you'll find that your mind will be less distracted and more able to focus on each breath.
- Start with five minutes of meditation on the first day and build daily by an additional five minutes until you can comfortably meditate for 20 minutes each day.
Or alternatively, you can practice guided meditation using your earphones and your smart phone with the help of one of these efficient apps:
Smart top management and leaders go for it and see how beneficial meditation is for both their employees and their companies' bottom line. I hope more and more businesses around the world adopt this wonderful practice that is a perfect example of a win-win situation.
Ipek Williamson
Programme director
Happy Work Environment