Mindfulness reaches the business world

Hundreds of scientific studies conducted by prestigious research centers around the world have been validating the health benefits of mindfulness for decades. In the Anglo-Saxon world, almost all universities have mindfulness centers, and in the fields of neuroscience and biochemistry, impressive benefits have been demonstrated by eminent figures such as Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn.

“More and more companies are incorporating mindfulness practices into their human resources strategies with positive results.”

In this sense, this scientific evidence links mindfulness to the prevention and treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as to the reduction of insomnia, pain management, and the strengthening of the immune system. Neuroscience has demonstrated the traces that meditation leaves in the brain, indicating its impact on slower aging, improved concentration and attention span, and other cognitive functions.

In recent years, the term mindfulness has become popular and widespread in many areas of life. This practice consists of paying attention to the present moment without judgment, intentionally and consciously. The technique, which is actually thousands of years old, has also attracted the attention of the business world for its potential in the workplace, where studies have been conducted linking it to improved work performance and productivity.

“When implemented correctly, it can contribute to a less stressful, more productive and healthier work environment.”

As a result, more and more companies are incorporating mindfulness practices into their human resources strategies and seeing positive results. Google, for example, has incorporated meditation and mindfulness programs into its learning and development plan. Apple, Nike, General Mills, Target, and other major corporations have also adopted the discipline to improve the well-being of their employees.

The benefits of mindfulness in the workplace are many. On the one hand, the reduction in stress, anxiety and fatigue can lead to a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in concentration. In addition, it helps employees recognize their own emotions and improves their communication skills, fostering a more collaborative and constructive environment. It also helps to improve creativity and innovation, as employees become more present to new opportunities and solutions. When implemented correctly, it can contribute to a less stressful, more productive and healthier work environment

The primary tool of mindfulness is meditation, which is about connecting with our being. The relentless speed at which we live, feel and perceive pushes us to do a thousand things at once, yet we are rarely present in any of them. The mind is always working. What we do with mindfulness is know how our mind works, observe its constant mental dialog, and train it to be in the present, in the here and now. 

The main difficulties in practice are found when facing the blessed time, how to make a hole in our busy lives. Although the truth is that the most advisable is to attend a course of mindfulness or, in the company, organize a training process of the hand of an expert. In this way you will learn how to begin to train the brain in mindfulness and to overcome this misconception that is installed in our lives that taking care of ourselves, spending time with ourselves, is not as well valued as spending time with others. Dedicating some time to ourselves, to meditate, is one of the most positive things we can do for ourselves and our environment, be it professional or personal.