Apple, Google, Nike, Deutsche Bank, Mckinsey & Co, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and Microsoft are well documented to offer Meditation programmes to their staff.
Oprah Winfrey’s team actually sit down together and meditate before starting their working day and only recently I taught an organisation in London that now has a Group Meditation slot between 4:00pm-4:30pm, Monday- Friday.
A few years ago this would have been considered excessively hippyish and bordering on cultish. Nowadays we recognise it as an essential part of any genuine (not just a tick in the box) wellbeing programme and rightfully so.
Mental health in the workplace has been brought to the forefront over the last few years where it is believed 1:4 of us are affected (though if you speak to many professionals they would say it’s much more) and whilst some cases are considered mild, 1:5 have called in sick rather than face work with 42% actually considered resigning.
When you think of the costs of sick days as well as recruiting and re-training staff you can certainly understand why wellbeing programmes have become such an important initiative for any organisation regardless of size (In the US alone it is believed a quarter of employers are now using “Stress Reduction Initiatives” with the goal to reduce stress and improve their reactions to it!)
But this is not the only reason why Meditation will continue to grow in the workplace as not only does it help deal with stressful situations as well as boost confidence and reduce anxiety as well as a whole string of other Health Benefits, but it can also enhance performance too.
Many Meditators I have taught are not only enjoying their roles more than ever, by feeling less stressed but are also noticing positive side effects including Increased Energy Levels and Drive, Improved Focus, Enhanced Creativity along with Greater Clarity of Thought.
They are not alone, for these are common traits associated with people who regularly Meditate and in the competitive world that we live where we are constantly pushed to be at our very best, any advantage, could indeed be a winning one.
Resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/mental-health.htm
https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-your-staff/
For more information on upcoming events including courses on Transcendental Meditation please contact me directly at hello@andreberrymeditation.co.uk
