Employees felt less stressed when they practised mindfulness
According to a new report from Malmö University, mindfulness exercises at work can boost both well-being and work performance.
Better focus, less stress, and an easier time switching off from work once home. These were the experiences reported by business sector employees who practised mindfulness every day for eight weeks. The findings are presented in a new report that explores how mindfulness can be used to promote health in the workplace.
“We are seeing a trend where cases of stress-related illness are on the rise. Previous research shows that mindfulness can be a useful tool for managing stress, which is why we wanted to investigate how employees experienced doing regular exercises during working hours,” explains Lovisa Broms, one of the researchers behind the report.
An important finding is that there is no ‘one size fits all’; being able to adapt the exercise and when it is done is key.
Lovisa Broms
In the project, the researchers investigated the effects and experiences of mindfulness among employees at three different companies. The project began with a workshop where participants received training in mindfulness and self-leadership, during which they learned various tools they could use. This was followed by an eight-week training period during which they practised mindfulness on their own for ten minutes every day during working hours. The perceived effectiveness of the programme was then assessed using questionnaire responses and interviews.
“Many of the participants said they felt some resistance at first and that there are preconceived notions about mindfulness as something that only hippies engage in,” says Broms.
Although there was some drop-out in the number of participants over the eight weeks, the report shows that the programme had a positive effect for many of the employees. They experienced reduced stress, increased focus, and greater presence in both their work and private lives.
“An important finding is that there is no ‘one size fits all’; being able to adapt the exercise and when it is done is key. While some preferred to schedule the exercise in their calendar and do it in a group, others felt it was far too personal and wanted to practise mindfulness in private,” she says.
The report shows that mindfulness can enhance both well-being and work capacity, but that time, space and organisational support are key. “We see that support from management, access to quiet spaces and a culture that allows for breaks are important factors in bringing about lasting change.”
The introductory workshop with the employees was led by Catharina Sjögren Froborg, an International Coaching Federation -certified leadership coach: “Having worked with organisations, I see the same pattern: when mindfulness gains legitimacy, not only does well-being increase – but so does the sharpness of leadership.”
