Mindfulness is something I’ve been practicing for over 10 years now. It was something that I had been guided to I guess you should say. It took a long time to actually get to it and now a days it is something that I am hearing about more often. Even Fortune 500 companies have implemented them and here is why you should to.
Harvard Scientists found that meditation conclusively and positively changes your brain structure. Harvard business reports that brain activity is redirected from the limbic system to the prefrontal cortex- basically from the reactionary part of the brain to the rational part of the brain. This changes how we “react” to things and helps us to rely more on our executive functioning rather than on impulses.
Being mindful can help employees take a step back and look at the big picture. It’s a way of being able to step back and notice how the world around us is effecting this moment or what is happening “right now” in our environment. This is called “reperceiving”. It is being receptive awareness and attention. An individual can reassess the experiences around them and see them as external happenings from more of an objective standpoint. I think it can also be explained as “viewing what is happening around you and experiencing the experience without any judgement.” At least that’s how I like to think of it as.
Here are some things that you can do to become more mindful:
1. Stop Multitasking – Studies have shown that when we multitask our focus and attention go down tremendously. It is very counterproductive and inefficient.
2. Everyday try to take a step back and observe your life in the “big picture” frame. Look at the flow, direction and how you are managing it, but with no judgement on whether it is good or bad. Also you may find when doing this there are many more teachable moments.
3. Meditate – of course this is the big one! Taking 30 mins a day to meditate will greatly improve your brain and body function, mental wellness, keep stress and anxiety down if not take it away completely.
4. Before you start work for the day, for me anyways, I find it helpful to place your right hand over your heart and say ” I am here, I am loved, I am safe, I am powerful” it just helps to bring presence to yourself, your being, it in some ways “anchors” your energy in the now.
If companies such as Google, Nike, and Apple can find ways to implement “Mindfulness” into their workplace for their employees then maybe you can to?
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