How can mindfulness help remote workers overcome common challenges?

Being mindful means paying attention intentionally as the experience unfolds moment by moment, without expectations or judgments.

It sounds like mumbo jumbo to some initially, but it's actually about simple, practical steps accessible to everyone. Often associated with meditation and esoteric practices, mindfulness is, at its core, a down-to-earth approach to being present in the moment. We say forget the complex philosophies; mindfulness unfolds in our everyday lives. It encourages us to pause, breathe, and engage with intentionality. It's about shedding stress, focusing on the now, and taking straightforward steps towards a more balanced and fulfilling existence. Mindfulness isn't a distant concept; it's a tool for navigating the practicalities of our daily lives….especially when we are working in a remote friendly setting

In the world of professionals, isolation often creeps in during remote work. But mindfulness can be your ally. Think of it as your secret weapon for building better connections. When you're mindful, you become a superstar at understanding others and expressing yourself. Imagine this: you're on a video call, and instead of zoning out, you really listen. You connect deeply. You share your thoughts clearly, and suddenly, your colleagues become allies, not just coworkers. Plus, mindfulness is like a bridge to your support team. You reach out to friends, family, and mentors, and say, "Hey, I need some virtual hugs today." It makes isolation less lonely.

One mindfulness tip I use personally and recommend to coaching clients to help with the feeling of isolation in a remote work environment is doing a calendar audit. A calendar audit provides an opportunity to recognize where you can create more social interaction and engagement. For example, do you have meetings with individuals who are close in proximity? Could you switch this meeting to a coffee shop nearby instead of meeting virtually? Is there a day where deep focus work is your priority? If so, could you schedule a dinner with friends, or a quick phone call to increase your feeling of connection to others? Elevating our awareness of trends allows us to adapt our calendar to minimize isolation.

Taking mindful breaks throughout the day, such as standing up to stretch, taking deep, intentional breaths, or mindfully sipping tea, can help your mind stay engaged and focused rather than getting sidetracked by irrelevant details or fixated on challenges without accessing problem-solving skills. Instead of sitting at your desk wringing your hands and getting frustrated at your lack of progress, change your surroundings, move your body, and release tension by shaking your hands or singing.

No matter how you use mindfulness, we are social creatures. This means that we are wired to be and share with others when we’ve been isolated by choice or not (like Covid ). While being present in the moment helps, I find that connecting to something greater that our selves gives us meaning. Meaning in life gives us hope and purpose for being. Walking in nature. Recognizing the amazing nature of our bodies. Recognizing that we are non-local as “Bucky balls” in quantum physics, and that we can manifest on a zoom or FaceTime call it’s amazing. Finding awe in experiences in our day, on the good things, Writing about what we are grateful in a day. Focusing on being through mindfulness, and not on what we lack, gives us resilience to move on.??