How to Create a Culture of Mindfulness

The word “mindfulness” has been gaining traction as a way to feel more grounded and improve one’s ability to live in the moment, but what many leaders don’t realize is the benefits of mindfulness practice don’t have to be reserved for before or after business hours. 

Creating a culture of mindfulness in the workplace can significantly improve overall employee health, productivity, and satisfaction while at work. It can also give employees the tools they need to successfully navigate organizational change, stress, emotional reactivity, and more. During the uncertainty and “next normal” of the pandemic, the need for human connectivity is vital now more than ever, and creating a culture of mindfulness can help leaders move their teams forward in a positive direction.

Redefining Workplace Culture

It’s commonly thought that workplace culture is a “set it and forget it” idea. But thinking of culture as a living thing can remind leaders that it’s something that requires nurturing and attention in order to foster growth. While the goal of workplace culture is to cultivate a sense of belonging and comfort among employees, workplace stress along with general stress and anxiety are among the top reasons why people choose mindfulness programs, according to a recent Pulse survey done by eMindful.

When asked what they were seeking help with, 43.5% of survey participants reported “reduce stress and anxiety” and 7.4% identified “dealing with anxiety about my job” as their motivators for practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness woven into workplace culture cannot only help employees feel safe identifying their feelings and communicating their challenges with their leaders and peers, but it also can help your team feel more grounded and focused on the tasks in the present moment.

How Mindfulness Applies to the Workday

Creating a culture of mindfulness sounds great, but how can it be implemented? It’s possible to hit your company’s production goals while also planting the seed of mindfulness within your workplace culture, and it begins with leadership.

• It starts with you. When leaders are under pressure and allow themselves to become emotionally reactive or stressed, that energy feeds directly to the rest of the team. Modeling a mindful presence is the first step to cultivating a thriving culture of mindfulness.
• Encourage mindful breaks. In our productivity-focused hustle culture, employees don’t often get up from their desks or take breaks as often as they should to center themselves. Encouraging mindful movement, rest, or stretching can give employees the “me” time they need to improve their self-awareness and focus throughout the day.
• Eliminate “back-to-backs” when possible. Scheduling meetings one right after another can increase overall stress, distraction, and the feeling of being rushed. Allowing employees a few moments between meetings to gather their thoughts and prepare for the next meeting can make a huge difference in employee creativity and participation.
• Build transparency and trust. When it comes to a culture of mindfulness, connectedness is key. Leaders and peers sharing their personal best practices for sleep, exercise, mental health, and self-care can help the rest of the team feel seen and understood.
• Celebrating the tiny wins. It’s a common fact that when leaders positively reinforce the behaviors they want to see, employees are more likely to repeat them. Acknowledging taking breaks, navigating a challenge, and focusing on a difficult task are all examples of small wins that can be celebrated among teams.

Improving Long-Term Employee Well-Being and Productivity

As with most healthy habits, creating a culture of mindfulness doesn’t happen overnight. It also takes attention and nurturing from all levels. But every small occurrence of connectedness, awareness, and healthy communication is a seed planted for long-term improvement of employee well-being, focus, productivity, and happiness.

Check out Creating a Culture of Mindfulness for more insights and thought leadership from eMindful.

Written by Becky Greiner