Mindfulness at work: Cultivating calm and clarity in the workplace

Learn about workplace mindfulness and how it can improve your mental health and performance. Plus, get tips and free Calm sessions to help you practice mindfulness at work starting now.

In our fast-paced, competitive, and often stressful work environments, it's easy to get overwhelmed by deadlines, meetings, and abundant communication. This constant busyness can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and strained colleague relationships. Fortunately, mindfulness is a simple yet powerful practice that can help you navigate workplace challenges with greater resilience.

What is workplace mindfulness?

Workplace mindfulness is the practice of bringing your attention to the present moment while you’re working. It means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations as you go about your tasks. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety and foster a more positive and productive work environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Benefits of applying mindfulness in the workplace

Incorporating mindfulness into your workday can benefit your mental health, well-being, and even your organization.

Reduced stress and burnout?

Mindfulness can help you manage stress by teaching you to observe your thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. This can help you stay calm and composed under pressure, reducing the risk of burnout.

Increased focus and productivity

When you’re mindful, you’re fully present in the task at hand, free from distractions and mental chatter. This can allow you to focus better, work more efficiently, and make fewer mistakes.

Enhanced communication and collaboration

Mindfulness can help you have more empathy, active listening, and conflict-resolution skills. These can all contribute to better communication and improving collaboration and teamwork.

Increased creativity and innovation

Mindfulness can enhance creativity . You can explore creative solutions and ideas when your mind is released from worries. Being mindful at work can also help you approach problems from different perspectives and find innovative solutions.

Improved decision-making

Mindfulness can lead to better decision-making, helping you weigh different options carefully and make choices that align with your values.

How to be more mindful at work

With the right practical tips, you can incorporate mindfulness into your workday to help cultivate calmness and clarity. Improve your mental performance , energy, and overall workplace well-being with these tips:

1. Start small and be patient

Begin by incorporating short mindfulness exercises into your day, such as deep breathing or body scans . Start with a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend practicing mindfulness.?

2. Create a mindful workspace

Organize your workspace to be clutter-free to help you focus. Consider adding natural elements like plants, a small water fountain, or even soundscapes to drown out office noise.

?? If the sounds of the office stress you out, try out a soothing Soundscape to help with focus and concentration. This one's free!

3. Be intentional about your schedule

Schedule opportunities for focused work without distractions, and set specific times for checking emails and responding to messages.

?? Let Jay Shetty teach you how to be more efficient with your precious time with Fixed-Schedule Productivity .

4. Practice single-tasking

Avoid multitasking, which can lead to decreased focus and increased errors. Focus on one task at a time, giving it your full attention.

?? If you’re in the habit of attempting too many tasks simultaneously, try Settle Down by Single -Tasking — a guided practice with Jay Shetty.?

5. Take regular breaks from your screen

Set boundaries around technology use—don't constantly check your email or social media. Step away from your desk periodically to take a short mindful walk, stretch, or simply close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.?

?? Check out these Quick Breaks you can do at work when it’s time to step away from your screens and reset your mind and body.

6. Be mindful of your interactions

Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings when interacting with colleagues. Practice active listening and empathy.

?? Tune into Mindfulness at Work with Tamara Levitt, which includes meditations on Kind Communication, Work Stress and Conflict Resolution.

7. Use mindfulness during meetings

Notice your thoughts and feelings during meetings, and observe when you’re feeling distracted or frustrated. Taking deep breaths can help you stay grounded.

?? Did you know? Calm Business integrates with the productivity and meeting tools you use the most, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, so you can do a 60-second pre-meeting meditation with your team before you get started to help set a mindful tone. Learn more and chat with an expert here.

8. Be mindful in your transitions

Could you take a few minutes to transition between tasks or activities? This could involve taking a few deep breaths, stretching, or simply closing your eyes and clearing your mind.

?? Take extra time to transition mindfully from work to your personal time at the end of the day with a Shut Down Routine or Letting Go of the Day practice.

9. Practice mindfulness exercises or attend classes

Seek out resources like the mindfulness exercises available on Calm to help you learn more about mindfulness and get support with your practice.

?? New to mindfulness? Give our Mindfulness for Beginners course a listen

Mindfulness at Work FAQs

Q: How do you show mindfulness at work?

Mindfulness at work is about being fully present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations as you go about your day. It can help you focus on the moment without judgment and respond calmly and clearly to situations. Becoming more mindful at work can involve just a few simple steps.

1. Pay attention to your breath: Anchor your attention in the present moment and calm your mind by focusing on your breath.
2. Be aware of your body: Notice how you’re feeling physically as you work and make adjustments if you need to improve your posture and comfort.
3. Observe your thoughts: When you notice a negative thought, acknowledge it and then let it go—try not to get caught up in it.
4. Be present in your interactions: When you’re talking or listening to someone, give them your full attention.
5. Take breaks throughout the day: Get up and move around every 20–30 minutes to improve focus and reduce stress.

Q: Why is it important to be mindful at work?

Being mindful at work can bring many benefits , like reducing stress, increasing focus, improving communication, enhancing creativity, and increasing job satisfaction.

• Reduced depression and anxiety symptoms : Mindfulness can help you manage stress more effectively, leading to improved physical and mental health.
• Increased focus: Improved productivity with fewer mistakes can come when you use mindfulness, helping you focus on the task at hand and avoid distractions.?
• Improved communication: Mindfulness can help you communicate more clearly and effectively with others, leading to better relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Enhanced creativity: Innovation and problem-solving can be enhanced by mindful working.
• Greater job satisfaction: Mindfulness can help you feel more satisfied with your work.

Q: How do I start a mindfulness program at work?

Introducing mindfulness to the workplace can significantly enhance employee well-being, productivity, and overall organizational success.?

1. Leverage leadership support: Explain the potential benefits of mindfulness, such as reduced stress, improved focus, and enhanced communication, to secure the backing of your company's leadership. Workplace stress is a preventable risk factor for potentially costly mental health issues. If you can demonstrate its alignment with the organization’s goals, your mindfulness program is more likely to be successful.
2. Establish a mindfulness team: Assemble a team of colleagues who are passionate about mindfulness. They will be responsible for developing and implementing the mindfulness program. Include representatives from different departments and levels of seniority.
3. Curate mindfulness resources : Compile mindfulness resources, such as guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and mindfulness-related articles, to help your colleagues get the support they need. Calm Business can be a great partner in this process!
4. Offer mindfulness training: Organize workshops or training sessions led by qualified mindfulness instructors . These sessions can introduce employees to mindfulness concepts, techniques, and practices that can be integrated into their daily work lives. Calm Business customers have access to a wide array of instructors and programs.

1. Integrate mindfulness into work culture: Encourage mindfulness practices throughout the workday, such as incorporating mindful breathing exercises into meetings, promoting mindful breaks, and creating designated quiet spaces for reflection.
2. Evaluate and adapt: Evaluate the effectiveness of the mindfulness program by gathering feedback from employees regularly and monitoring participation rates. Use this information to ensure the program remains relevant and engaging.

Q: How can you incorporate mindfulness into your work routine?

There are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into your work routine.?

Before your workday begins

• Mindful morning routine: Start your day with a few minutes of mindfulness to set a calm and focused tone. This could involve deep breathing, meditation, or journaling.
• Mindful commute: If you travel to work, use this time to practice mindfulness. Focus on the sensations of your body as you move, or engage in mindfulness exercises like counting your breaths.

During your workday

• Mindful breaks: Step away from your desk and practice mindfulness regularly. This might mean a walk, a stretch, or mindful breathing.
• Mindful transitions: Take a few minutes to transition between tasks or activities—take a few deep breaths, stretch, or close your eyes and clear your mind.
• Mindful meetings: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings during meetings—if you feel distracted or frustrated, take a few deep breaths to help you stay grounded.

After your workday

• Mindful commute home: Use your journey home to unwind and transition back to your personal life. Practice mindfulness exercises like listening to calming music or focusing on the scenery.
• End your work-from-home day mindfully: Create a note for your morning self of anything that might distract you in the evening. Mindfully close up your workspace or office doors if you have them. You may even want to try announcing to yourself that your workday is over.

Mindful evening routine: End your day with a few minutes of mindfulness to promote relaxation and sleep. Deep breathing, meditation, or reading a calming book can all be helpful. Try a Calm sleep session.