Authored by Daniela Gaschler – Mindfulness Professional, Find into yourSelf.
COVID19 and the Corona measures impact everyone. How can we now deal with the chronic stress we all experience? And most importantly, how do we prevent the disease-causing effects of chronic stress?
Many scientific studies show that eight weeks of mindfulness training, MBSR, can strengthen the immune system.
I am convinced that we are only at the beginning of the possibilities of applying mindfulness in the workplace. Here are some of the critical pain points that all organizations face, and I believe that mindfulness programs in the workplace will help address these pain points.
1. Weak leadership
The impact of poor leadership in an organization is enormous. The most common reason people leave their jobs is a bad boss. It is also one of the best indicators of an organization’s success or failure. Leaders are responsible for the culture of the organization and set an example of how everyone should handle work and relationships.
2. Burnout, stress, and anxiety
You don’t have to look far to find another study or report documenting the current record levels of burnout, stress and anxiety. With the massive disruption of the economy, such as Corona, and the changes in our work and personal lives, it is becoming a core competency of the organization to address mental wellness and reduce the impact of rising levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout.
3. Loneliness & lack of meaningful connection.
There is increasing talk about the epidemic of loneliness in the workplace. We no longer have the norms and values of community or spiritual institutions that we once had, and more and more people are trying to fill that emptiness with connections in their workplace. And that is a real benefit to companies, because it’s been shown that people who have a friend in the workplace are most likely to continue working for that company, and that connection drives employee engagement.
4. Inadequate communication.
Communication binds an organization and its employees. It is fundamental to how an organization exists in the world and interacts with those it serves. The proper handling of information is critical to success. Conflict resolution, negotiation, listening, inspiring and speaking are essential communication skills for a well-functioning organization.
5. Lack of focus & restrained creativity.
These are two quite different areas, but they are closely related. Focus is like a telescopic lens that zooms in on an object. Creativity is a wide-angle lens that provides a broader view with possibilities and multiple perspectives. These are practically opposing mental skills; however, the most successful companies have found a way to strike the right balance and master both.
Conclusion
I have worked in an international company that uses mindfulness in the workplace to address these pain points and improve their Business Health Index.