The afternoon slump can come thick, and fast, after a hectic morning – even for the most dedicated of employees.
However, researchers believe that they may have finally found an effective, and speedy, solution. The Daily Mail reports that academics writing in the Journal of Management claim that the most productive way to alleviate workday stress is to practice mindfulness.
Explaining their findings, the researchers commented: “Mindfulness is often viewed as either a touchy-feely fad or valuable management tool that can lift an entire workplace.
“A new comprehensive analysis of mindfulness research suggests the latter—that injecting a corporate culture of mindfulness not only improves focus, but the ability to manage stress and how employees work together.”
The study also found that just two in 4,000, of the papers looking into mindfulness in the workplace, claimed it had a negative effect on stressed-out staff.
Looking deeper into the issue, Laura Little, Learning and Development Manager at CABA, explained to The Daily Mail that whilst mindfulness may not be everyone’s method of choice, it’s benefits cannot be ignored.
“The aim is to become more aware of thoughts and feelings,” she commented, “so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, you can manage and respond to them better – a useful technique used when in pressured situations.”
Little also offered up a three-minute exercise aimed to help destress anxious employees. The method consists of acknowledging the thoughts crossing your mind, whilst closing your eyes. This includes the negative thoughts and emotions.
Following this, staff should focus on breathing and staying in the present. Finally, Little asks employees to “expand your field of awareness beyond your breathing so it includes a sense of the whole body – including your facial expression and posture.
“If you become aware of discomfort or tension, imagine your breath could move into and around the part of the body where the discomfort is. Explore the sensations and accept them, rather than trying to change them.”
