Episode 58 – Mindfulness In The Workplace

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve obviously seen a big shift in the degree to which mindfulness is discussed in the media, and in the workplace. This got me thinking…and writing…and now talking. This isn’t an easy topic to discuss, to be honest. Mindfulness has so many “woohoo” connotations that I hesitate to put my stamp on it. But I happen to be an expert in the area of Mindfulness and shifting one’s mindset. So here we are…

Episode 58 – Mindfulness In The Workplace

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve obviously seen a big shift in the degree to which mindfulness is discussed in the media, and in the workplace. This got me thinking…and writing…and now talking. Mindfulness in the Workplace is important – now more than ever.

Show Notes

I also want to mention that my blog post on The 4 Strategies For Self-Regulation in Adults, is one of my most viewed posts. Organizations need to adapt swiftly to the increasing demands placed on nurses and health care practitioners. The support of their staff is crucial in addressing these pandemic challenges. Mindfulness is one suitable way; it places one’s attention towards the present moment (Brown & Ryan, 2003; Kabat-Zinn, 2003).

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a way of enhancing one’s awareness and attention towards the present moment (Brown & Ryan, 2003; Kabat-Zinn, 2003). Mindfulness means paying attention “on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p. 4). It’s about saying “ok I’m feeling rushed right now. I’m going to stop for moment and take a breath and focus on the task. what am I doing?” Mindfulness is a practice.  It can change your relationship and your perceptions of the world around you. Extensive scientific evidence shows the benefits of everyday mindfulness to one’s overall health. This can be the health of your home environment, at school and in the workplace

Why Mindfulness In The Workplace

Mindfulness in the workplace supports individuals in managing complex situations. Personal growth and learning are one of the most basic universal human needs. We’re all here on the planet to learn something about ourselves and serve humanity. Mindfulness, and going inward, and developing the tools to manage work-related stress, helps build character and integrity for one’s work. It’s a quick reset and offers you the chance to shift your emotional state to a better one. If you think about it, every musician has to fine-tune their instrument, right? The same rule applies to us, and our own “instruments” – our Minds – and learning how to pay attention and be mindful of our thoughts, and our bodies.

The Research To Support Mindfulness In The Workplace

If we look at mindfulness as a form of self regulation, you’ll understand why mindfulness is useful in the workplace. “Self-regulation” is a generic term for the voluntary management of physical, cognitive and emotional processes (Rheme & Rokke, 1988).  If you’re well, you’re likely regulating yourself properly. Your body and your mind are connected. If you’re not well, you’re stressed at a risk of being of ill.

According to Rich, M (2015) “Work-related stress was identified as the second most significant determinant of stress in the USA in 2014 (American Psychological Association, 2015) and as one of the major causes of work-related illnesses (39%) in Great Britain in 2014 (Health and Safety Executive report, 2014). Based on summarization of several neural correlation studies, Chiesa, Seretti & Jakobsen (2013) suggest that mindfulness practitioners can regulate their emotions either through top-down regulation (regulation through detached observation of incoming emotions and related thoughts) or bottom-up regulation (more direct control of the functionality of emotions-related areas of brain).” Thus, the more advanced you are in mindfulness training, the better you are at self-regulation.

This is what makes self-regulation an efficient resource tool that can be taught inside and outside the workplace. This way you have a better chance of living a happier, healthier and more joyful life.

Instill A Culture of Health & Wellbeing

With the growing complexity of today’s healthcare system, we need healthcare leaders that are adaptable. As I said in episode 56, good healthcare leaders need to have strong clinical skills, as well as business/operational skills. They need to be people who build teams that want to stick with them. To be successful at that, leaders need to be likeable, with a keen sense of awareness, and emotional intelligence. Mindfulness in the workplaces supports leaders and nurses in managing the growing demands and complexity of society. As well, by instilling a culture of health and wellbeing everyone feels supporting in their personal and professional growth and development.

Conclusion

Having training programs of mindfulness in the workplace can help your staff be more focused and more compassionate with themselves. And we know nurses can always do better in this area! Mindfulness can calm the non-stop mind-chatter and agitation that we experience on a daily basis. Knowing this can be of great benefit to hospital leaders and the nurses of the future generation.

Improving Work-Life Balance With The ProMind Experience

Work-life balance and nursing wellbeing go together. By arming your employees with the right mindset strategies and personal development solutions, you can facilitate the development of personal wellbeing and sustainable healthy habits. The Pro-Mind Experience is a digital wellness and personal development program that helps frontline nurses achieve work-life balance in 7 weeks or less.

When Satori launched ProMind our vision was simple: Get health practitioners to think about their mental health more proactively. In early 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Satori launched The ProMind Experience to support hospitals in raising awareness of the benefits of workplace wellness and personal development.

The ProMind Experience broadened its focus to encompass physical, cognitive, spiritual and behavioural health, and support the full range of wellbeing needs of their employees. This can be empowering for virtually everyone.

Self-awareness = self-regulation!

• The bonus training, Banish Burnout Bootcamp, offers tips and strategies to help with stress management
• Our Team Approach helps staff to navigate their own personalized health journey through fitness and nutrition
• Opportunities to build social connections with coworkers through the mindful clinician community
• Seamlessly gamified platform offers a fun experience that hits the dopamine button
• A fun and engaging closed community-based group to boost collaboration and enhance wellbeing

And so much more….Sound like a good fit? Book a call with me to see for yourself how The ProMind Experience(TM) can help improve work-life balance at your hospital and organization.

Articles on Mindfulness

1. Baking and Cooking as Mindfulness Activities
2. The Benefits of Everyday Mindfulness
3. Your Own Happy Pill Through Mindfulness Coaching
4. How Meditation Helps for Stress-Management
5. Episode 33. 5 Interesting Facts On Meditation
6. 4 Easy Steps To Build A Meditation Practice
7. Create Your Own Meditation Space – Episode 15 Satori Radio Podcast

 

Sources:

Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822–848.

Vich, M (2015). The emerging role of mindfulness research in the workplace and its challenges. Central European Business Review, 4 (3), p.35-47.