Mindfulness practice can improve wellbeing, reduce stress and can boost focus and productivity.  Tell that to your boss lol!  Unless of course you are one of the lucky ones who work for a company who already have embraced it.

Work itself can be the source of stress,  so make sure you take regular breaks from tasks and if you are in front of a screen, then set an alarm to ensure you break away at regular intervals.

Three keys things that should help at work:

  1. Be a single tasker: Quite often my mind is racing between things I need to do, as I am sure it is with you. However, this can get your mind racing, and heighten stress and in the end,  your are likely to be less productive. Try to focus on one thing at time
  2. Watch the emails: If you have a desk job, watch the emails. If you use a pc that does varied tasks during the day, try to plan the tasks. Have specific times to read your emails. If you can,  deal with them straight away,  rather than leaving them. Choose to delete  archive or respond. If you do not control the time spent on  emails, they could be your only focus and could interrupt other work you are trying to do.
  3. Have intention: Try to begin each working day with a conscious decision to focus on the present ( in the moment). You could also start the day with simple breathing exercises.  Try breathing in through the nose for a count of 4 and out through the mouth for 8, and repeat this 4/8 times, or as often as needed.
  4. Zen your desk: Organise your work station. Add something that is personal to you or that inspires you. A item such as a photograph, a sculpture or natural object are great and can be your point of focus, when you need it. Tidy up at the end of each day, using it as a ritual to leave your work behind you.
  5. Have clarity: Although mindfulness can help your tackle workplace stress, you also need to be aware of underlying causes, unrealistic deadlines and toxic environments. Mindfulness practice is something to embrace not simply to boost your performance. If you find yourself grasping for stress reducing techniques then may be it worth considering who is actually benefiting.

Why not add an ‘End of the Day Ritual’

What I have achieved today

What I am going to do tomorrow

One thing a co worker has done that has benefited me today

Name a positive about my job

I hope some of these ideas do help you when at work. They may be out of your comfort zone to start with, but could really benefit you going forward.

Bev x