Her lunch break consists of pulling on a pair of colorful leggings, some running shoes and a tank, then heading two blocks up the street for her daily dose of zen. His quiet place on the way home from work is next door to the coffee shop he used to frequent for his twice-a-day cup of joe. Her evening activities went from drinks with friends to quiet reflection in a room designated for nothing but thoughts.

The mindfulness movement is sweeping the nation, from yoga classes to meditation to tai chi massage, as Americans are taking a different approach to stress management than in the past. Taking a cue from Eastern traditions and Buddhist beliefs and practices, men and women are recognizing that training your mind is just as important as keeping your body fit and healthy. Bringing a new dimension to workplace health and wellness programs, mindfulness can become the wellbeing initiative to increase productivity, engagement, and make positive changes to your workplace culture all around!

Mindfulness is more than just adding a few programs that employees can choose to join, it’s about encouraging change on a cultural level. Helping employees become more connected to their own bodies and fostering collective awareness of each individuals’ connectedness to one another. It’s about giving employees the ‘space’ to be more connected with oneself, so they can then appreciate and engage more readily in the activities and initiatives of today.

What Can Companies Do?

• Encourage and/or sponsor meditation – the company could spring for a meditation seminar, or simply encourage employees to take five minutes at their desk to meditate, focus on their breathing and quiet their mind from the distractions of the world.
• Take a hint from Fortune 500 companies such as Nike and General Mills (and of course, the leaders in mindfulness movement in the workplace, our friends at Google and Apple!) and set up “quiet rooms” where employees can effectively get away from it all and truly re-energize.
• Offer tea along with coffee in the break room or offer discounts to yoga studios or other Eastern wellness programs along with gym memberships.
• Set an example for your employees and start practicing mindfulness yourself. It’s a focus on being observant of yourself. Start small – Today I will become more aware of__________. Then spend your day focusing on it.