How Can We Build A Culture That Honours Quiet Time?

Does your organisational culture honour moments of rest and reflection to give busy brains a break??

In our fast-paced and ever-connected world, it can be challenging to find moments of peace and quiet. We are constantly bombarded with information, notifications, and distractions that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. However, it is important to remember that taking time for ourselves is crucial for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.?

For me, I love to lie in the sun. (Not always easy living in England!) I find the somatosensory experience of heat on my skin incredibly energising and relaxing all at once.?

Quiet time can take many forms, whether it is meditation, reading a book, taking a walk in nature, or simply sitting in silence. Whatever form it takes, it is important to prioritize it in our daily lives. This means setting aside time each day, even if it is just a few minutes, to disconnect from the outside world and connect with ourselves.?

Honouring quiet time can help us recharge, reflect, and reset - and nowhere is it more needed than in the workplace.

Building A Reflective Culture

When your brain is overloaded, no new ideas can get in. If your staff are overworked and in need of some ‘quiet time’, chances are they will be less motivated and engaged at work, too.

Here’s a few simple things you can do:

• Incorporate Mindfulness Practices: One way to build a culture that honours quiet time is to encourage and promote the practice of mindfulness. This could be introducing rituals at the start of meetings, where everyone takes a moment of silence to gather their thoughts and get focused. It could do wonders for those difficult meetings!

• Set up Reflective Spaces To Think:? Create physical spaces that facilitate quiet reflection and relaxation - that are designed to be calming and peaceful, with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and soothing colours. This gives the brain a rest from thinking and decreases ‘cognitive load’. When our prefrontal cortex is loaded, we simply can’t generate new ideas, so it’s good for innovation.

• Encourage Frequent Breaks: This could be as simple as taking a walk outside, getting a cup of tea, or listening to calming music. Encouraging employees to take regular breaks can help reduce stress and increase productivity by allowing them to return to their work with a fresh perspective. It can be as little as 15 minutes in a soundproof booth with no distractions!

Leaders within organisations can also set an example by taking quiet time themselves. By modelling the behaviour they want to see in their employees, leaders can create a culture that values this type of reflection.

Check out more top tips in my book ‘Engaged: The Neuroscience Behind Creating Productive People in Successful Organisations’

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The Benefits Of Quiet Time

When we honour quiet time, we give ourselves the opportunity to process our thoughts and emotions, which can help us gain perspective and clarity. It can also help us reduce stress and anxiety, improve our focus and concentration, and increase our overall sense of well-being.

Incorporating quiet time into policies and practices can help create a culture that values employee well-being and recognizes the importance of taking time to recharge, therefore building a healthier, more productive, and happy workforce.

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