Mindfulness: a successful and more mindful corporate culture

The pace of work is sometimes so dizzying that people end up performing their tasks like automatons, without even having time to think. Stress, dissatisfaction or lack of focus are the consequence of this reality, which some companies are transforming thanks to the mindfulness.

In addition to the goal of mindfulness, the basis of effectiveness; to set aside multitasking and concentrate on a single issue“.“is the essence of engagement” (HBR). When the mindfulness is one of the priorities in the corporate culture, employees are more motivated, their performance increases and they feel more committed to the organisation's goals. For leaders, the atmosphere that the mindfulness creates results in better-informed and higher quality interactions and decisions.

Benefits of mindfulness for work

Mindfulness is not only the promotion of a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Yoga, meditation and relaxation are the basis of great benefits, for individuals and organisations, which thanks to the application of these techniques achieve a more conscious state.

Among the advantages of the mindfulness in the company include the following:

1. Improved morale, reduced stress and lower blood pressure in employees. (Scientific American).
2. Reduction of absenteeism and health-related costs, legal expenses and investment in insurance.. (WorkplacePsychology).
3. Increased volume and density of the hippocampus, a portion of the brain crucial for memory.. Scientific American demonstrates that meditation counteracts this decline, stating that “meditating for as little as twelve to twenty minutes a day can sharpen the mind.«.
4. Improved muscle tone, delayed onset of disease and effective stress reduction are some of the benefits of yoga (Mayo Clinic).
5. Longevity, thanks to the reduction of stress, which prevents increases in blood pressure. (American Journal of Cardiology).
6. Decreased anxiety, stress, depression, exhaustion and irritability decrease with regular mediation sessions (FranticWorld).

Mindfulness culture is not limited to meditation and awareness of our thoughts and emotions, but helps to improve self-control and to manage impulses more effectively. This benefits the team and the organisation, as this more conscious state is helpful in times of stress or when conflicts arise.

One of the best ways to encourage employees to work and live consciously is to provide them with opportunities to practice exercises such as meditation and yoga. Although it should be remembered that the success of any corporate wellness programme will be inextricably linked to the support of the company's culture.

Which companies have a mindfulness business culture

If you want to evolve towards a corporate culture of mindfulness to achieve success and boost your employees' levels of job satisfaction, you can take a cue from the initiatives that some companies are already implementing., as set out in HBR:

• Googleoffers its employees many advantages, among which are the following training courses mindfulness.
• Intel: for five years now has been offering a programme of mindfulness to its staff, which is achieving very good results in reducing stress.
• Aetna: in collaboration with two American universities, this company developed, launched and studied two mindfulness aimed at helping to reduce stress and improve reactions to stress.
• Green Mountain Coffee: this company offers monthly mindfulness retreats to its employees, their families and friends.

In addition to the courses and programmes mindfulness, For example, you can take the example of the company Asana, which offers each employee a budget of $10,000 for design the work environment and workplace in a way that facilitates the achievement of greater well-being (Mashable).

Thinking of starting yoga classes in the office? Do you want to go further with mindfulness?