When you practice mindfulness at work, you are working towards a more productive and healthier environment for yourself and your team.

Mindfulness is the state of complete awareness of the present moment. Being mindful is about calmly accepting your feelings and thoughts in a non-judgemental way.

“It is this non-judgement that is key to being mindful, otherwise we are simply focusing on the task at hand. Through regular mindfulness activities we garner greater self-awareness, soften our self-judgement and judgement of others and create healthy habits, cultivating more work-life balance.” – Certified Work-Life Strategist, Michelle Precourt.

So, how do you practice mindfulness at work?

Have you ever completed a task and forgotten how you got to the end? Do you find yourself working for hours without taking a break? It’s incredibly easy to go on autopilot when we’re going through our day or to be stressed about a project but not take a break until it’s finished. Mindfulness allows us to be present; this means that we can practice recognizing and regulating our emotions. Being mindful helps us make better decisions and be more fully engaged at work and in our lives in general.

Last month, our team took part in a mindfulness workshop with Michelle Precourt. Michelle taught us new and practical ways to be more mindful at work. Since the workshop, we have been practicing what we learned.

How do we practice mindfulness while we work?

Emma:

“Before the workshop, I knew what mindfulness was, however, I wasn’t sure how to incorporate it into my everyday life, especially at work. What I took away from the workshop and what works best for me is to practice self-awareness. I ask myself, how am I feeling right now and why am I feeling this way? Then I realize what I need, whether that be to call a friend, go for a walk or do breathing exercises. This helps me stay grounded and calm, especially if I sense that I am getting stressed.”

Morgan:

“Taking 20 seconds every 20 minutes to look 20 metres away and disconnect from my work helps me feel more grounded and refreshes my mind.” 

Yolanda: 

“Taking a few breaths while frustrated can help to ground me and become more focused on the problem at hand.”

Kelsey:

“I’ve been setting a reminder to do a couple of 1-3 minute breathing exercises throughout the day. I find this reset helpful for providing clarity and calm when my thoughts are racing.”

Mindfulness does not have to be a 30-minute daily meditation, it can be whatever works best for you. Whether you need to look away from your screen, chat with a friend, or spend a few minutes focusing on what you are presently thinking or feeling, it’s important to take breaks from your work; this will only benefit your ability to do your work in the long run.

To learn more about Michelle’s work on mindfulness in the workplace, visit her website here.