This article, written by an Advize Health team member and Yoga enthusiast is the second installment in a series that will help you answer the question: What Is YogAuditing?
If practicing mindfulness is proven to increase your productivity, your emotional intelligence and improve your clarity and ability to cope with stress, why wouldn’t you want to incorporate it into your bottom line? This is exactly what far reaching, global employers such as GlaxoSmithKline, Google and KPMG are doing. They have moved beyond any fears of social stigmas of not being “professional” and have done the research and implemented mindfulness programs and coaching for their employees. Those of you at the “tip of the sword” think of mindfulness as a meditation. Yes, it is learning to still the mind so that thoughts come and go. If it helps, think about the last time you got caught in the moment of gardening, baking or walking and you were simply just present. In these moments, thoughts come and go and we are able to feel both clarity and creativity. You are not thinking about the past or the future. This state of mindfulness is where the true magic of living comes into play. It’s where the great moments of inspiration, creativity and innovation occur. It is a place where peace moves throughout and deeper compassion for oneself and others takes hold.
Here’s what modern medicine teaches us about the productivity and health benefits of mindfulness:
- Increases activity in a number of brain regions, including those parts involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation and perspective taking.
- Improves psychological and sociological functions of attention, compassion and empathy.
- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the autonomic nervous system and promotes cortisol reduction.
- Boosts the immune system.
- Improves medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, premenstrual syndrome and chronic pain.
- Improves psychological conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, phobias and eating disorders.
We are entering a time in our history where the pace of change and new technologies is outpacing our abilities to cope. Health disorders and loss of productivity are modern day realities. We now know, without a doubt, that the practice of mindfulness engages employees in their work, reduces anxiety, increases resilience and high performance.The creation of a robust culture of professional mindfulness will breed a new kind of employee: centered, happy, and productive.
Read Part One: Confessions of a Yoga Volunteer.
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