More employers are investing in corporate wellness programs to support employee mental health and well-being. Mindfulness is often a primary focus in these programs, but do they really benefit workers?
Research suggests that mindfulness does, indeed, benefit the workplace, but it must be used properly to truly harness its potential.
Mindfulness in the Workplace: What Does Research Show?
Research has found that employing mindfulness in the workplace really can provide benefits for employees and customers.
One study looked at how mindfulness practices affected call center representatives in the U.S. and IT consultants in India.
Researchers found that practicing mindfulness meditation in the morning made participants more helpful and attentive at work. But the type of meditation they practiced impacted their experience:
- Breath-based meditation helped participants understand other perspectives.
- Loving-kindness meditation helped participants feel what others were feeling (i.e., boosted their empathy).
Overall, mindfulness can have many benefits for workers, from enhanced emotional intelligence to better focus and reduced stress. However, these practices must be employed in strategic ways to truly unlock their benefits.
Unlocking the Benefits of Mindfulness in the Workplace
1. Choose the Right Type of Mindfulness Practice for Roles
Both breath-based and loving-kindness meditations can improve helpfulness in the workplace, but these meditations can also have different effects that may be undesirable.
For example, in roles where accountability is crucial, breath-based meditation may prevent individuals from taking responsibility for their actions. Why? Because this type of meditation is focused on yourself. Loving-kindness meditation, on the other hand, is focused on cultivating feelings of kindness and compassion towards others.
For leadership roles in particular, breath-based meditation may be problematic, as these individuals may feel less remorse for their actions. Compassion-based or loving-kindness meditation may be the better option here.
2. Make Mindfulness a Priority for Key Roles
Mindfulness can certainly benefit all employees, but it can be especially helpful for roles where social interaction is key, such as:
- Teachers
- Customer service representatives
- Doctors
- Consultants
- Military personnel
In fact, research has shown that mindfulness can improve the performance of military personnel who are frequently in high-stress situations.
In tense situations, mindfulness can help individuals keep a cool head, listen intently and respond in a compassionate way.
3. Use Mindfulness Strategically Throughout the Day
The timing of your mindfulness practice is just as important as the practice itself. The practice is generally most effective when performed just before a high-stress moment because it helps shift your mindset and intentions.
For example:
- Healthcare practitioners may visualize themselves radiating compassion and kindness before meeting with a patient.
- Meditating before a challenging meeting can help employees stay calm and compassionate.
Employees should be encouraged to integrate mindfulness into their day whenever they are feeling stressed. Call center employees, for example, can practice deep breathing and visualize being compassionate just before taking a phone call.
Leaders should also remember that mindfulness practices are deeply personal, and everyone experiences this practice in different ways. Employees should be encouraged to employ the strategies that work best for their own unique minds, roles and routines.