Why has the integration of mindfulness practices into the workplace become so popular?
Well, companies and leaders have started to recognise the benefits “doing-nothing” can bring. I’ve noticed a steep rise in the number of requests I get to include meditation into the sessions I facilitate. Even when people start out skeptical, they are intrigued and curious after just 1 session.
Mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance personal and professional success.
In terms of brain function, mindfulness practices have been shown to increase activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making, problem-solving, and communication, while reducing activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response.
When I teach Mindfulness, I explain brainwaves. Brainwaves are electrical patterns that are produced by the brain when it’s active. There are four main types of brainwaves: Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. Beta waves are associated with a state of alertness where we think logically. Most of us in modern society spend most of our waking hours predominantly in Beta. Alpha waves indicate a state of relaxed and calm awareness and heightened focus. Theta waves occur during light sleep or deep meditation and are associated with creativity and memory. Delta waves are associated with intuitive processes and mostly accessible in deep sleep. These brainwaves interact with each other and the predominant type of brainwave can provide information about an individual’s state of mind and level of consciousness.
Recent research claims that “planting positivity” when we are in predominantly Theta Brainwaves can enhance the possibility of these desires and goals being realised, however, it’s important to note that these findings are still preliminary and more research is needed to fully understand the causality. Personally I practice visualising and affirming my desired outcomes and connecting with a sense of gratitude – both – when I’m just waking up and when I’m about to fall asleep. This is when we are naturally in a Theta state. I like to believe that this is also why we often sense that our prayers are being “answered”. Perhaps there is some truth or placebo effect playing out here, either way it has worked for me and sure beats “worrying” which as one of my teachers said is like “praying for what you don’t want”
In terms of well-being, mindfulness practices have been shown to improve job satisfaction, increase engagement, and reduce levels of burnout and absenteeism. Additionally, they can promote a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture, as they encourage individuals to be more self-aware and to develop greater empathy and understanding towards others.
The Dynamic Mind Practice (DMP), developed by Gita Bellin which I am trained to teach is an easy, effortless mindfulness-based approach backed that helped dispel the many myths that had kept many including me from committing to a sustainable meditation practice. When I teach mindfulness, my purpose to help make it easier for people to spend time in self-reflection to enhance personal joy and professional success. Having a mindfulness practice helps to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation helping individuals develop greater resilience, creativity, and leadership mastery.
In conclusion, mindfulness practices offer numerous benefits for companies and leaders looking to improve well-being, increase innovation, foster a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture, and enhance performance.
- Jha, A. P., Krompinger, J., & Baime, M. J. (2007). Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 7(2), 109-119.
This study found that mindfulness training can lead to changes in the brain’s attentional systems, including increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and decreased activity in the amygdala.
- van den Berg, R., Bos, E. H., Sheppard, S. C., McKay, L., & Giommi, F. (2015). Mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress: A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(6), 519-528.
This systematic review found that mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can lead to significant reductions in stress and anxiety. The authors suggest that this may be due to changes in the brain, such as decreased activity in the amygdala and increased activity in the prefrontal cortex.
- Tang, Y.-Y., & Posner, M. I. (2014). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 213-225.
This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the neuroscience of mindfulness meditation, including its effects on the brain, brainwaves, and the amygdala. The authors suggest that mindfulness meditation may lead to changes in the brain that help to regulate emotions and reduce the stress response.
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