The demands of a corporate environment can take a toll on the mental health of employees. The pandemic has bought this issue into sharp focus, being responsible for increased levels of stress and psychological distress in the workplace, leaving staff functioning far below their usual capacities, and having a marked impact on the wellbeing of both employees and businesses.

So, what are the benefits of meditation and increased mindfulness when it comes to employee wellbeing, and how can businesses best implement and incorporate meditation within their own workplaces?

A need for mindfulness
There is an increasing need for accessible mental health practices within the workplace, with new research from meditation and mindfulness app, Samten, reporting 73% of HR professionals have revealed an increase in staff struggling with their mental health over the last 12 – 24 months.

The research, which surveyed just under 1,000 HR professionals on the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental wellbeing of their workforce, also found that nearly 30% of organisations had experienced a 25% increase in staff reporting mental health challenges, with 34% reporting a 26 – 50% increase and 20% reporting a 51 – 75% increase.

Interestingly, 77% of HR professionals confirmed they understood the correlation between mindfulness, meditation and improved mental health, with 73% advising they believed meditation and mindfulness could help improve focus and productivity in the workplace.

The advantages of employee meditation
Meditation is an age-old practice renowned for both its physical and psychological benefits, including reducing blood pressure, anxiety and depression. Its applications also extend into office settings, ensuring employees are equipped to deal with the demands of their work.

One of the biggest reasons to incorporate meditation into the workplace is its proven effects on the reduction of stress. Short periods of mindful meditation works to reduce the levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, in our bodies, with a study from the Center of Mind and Brain at UC Davis confirming the connection between mindfulness and reduced levels of cortisol after only a few weeks of meditation.

Regularly setting time aside to practice mindfulness is also linked with improved mental functioning. The American Association for the Advancement of Science reported the link between meditation and increased neuronal activity, with an increased ability to sustain attention, and improve critical thinking and decision-making faculties.

On an interpersonal level, the introduction of group mediation in the workplace can enhance collaboration between staff, due to its positive effects on prosocial behaviours such as empathy and compassion. As work forces become more dispersed post-pandemic, this is more important than ever, promoting a sense of community and team spirit that directly correlates with improved quality of work.

Meditation also promotes a more harmonious work environment by equipping employees with the ability to control strong emotion states and reactions. Being able to regulate strong emotions and more readily disengage from them not only leads to better focus, but is also necessary for the compassionate leadership needed for effective team management.

Incorporating meditation into the workplace
Implementing mindful meditation does not have to be an expensive or time-consuming endeavour. With the rise of digital apps and programs designed for mobiles and computers, mindfulness training is more accessible than ever, for businesses on almost any budget.

There are several things to bear in mind when incorporating meditation into your own company to ensure you and your employees get the most out of it. It is important to get everyone on board by ensuring you first educate your employees on the benefits of meditation in both their work and personal lives.

Picking both an appropriate time and place for group meditation sessions will help integrate it into the daily work routine, and ensure it becomes a habit. Consider a time during the morning, so staff can mentally prepare for the day and tasks ahead. It is also important to provide a peaceful setting, free of distractions and noises so employees can get the most out of each meditation session.

Perhaps most importantly, you should actively involve your staff in any meditation program you choose to implement, by regularly collecting feedback from your employees. This will not only help you ascertain what does and does not work, but also allows you to adjust timings, duration and settings as needed.

One company already realising the benefits of offering mindfulness and mediation to its staff, is leading music brand, Defected Records, which has a comprehensive wellness programme available to all its staff, including access to the Samten mindfulness and mediation app.

Conclusion
Stress, depression and other issues associated with poor mental health can have a huge impact on staff wellbeing, focus and productivity and can quickly lead to burnout if left unaddressed, so it is vital businesses take steps to counteract these concerns.

Remember, investing in healthier, happier employees is also an investment in the business, as staff wellbeing and business success go hand-in-hand. Therefore, the proven benefits of mindfulness and meditation cannot be understated from both a mental health and business perspective.