Mindful workplace

Articles and discussions on mindful practices in the workplace.

Relaxation: learn to remain still

Stillness is very powerful.

Mindfulness is a commonly used term these days. However it is true that meditation or just being still brings calmness which enhances your concentration, lowers blood pressure and aids sleep quality. All are good for enhancing your performance at work and improves your well-being.

The simplest way to induce stillness is to take deep breaths.

3-4-5 breathing is a simple exercise devised by @Dr Rangan Chatterjee.

1. Breath in for 3 seconds.

2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Relaxation: feel grateful for your day

This 10 minute exercise helps to change your mindset to a more positive outlook.

You will need to keep a pad and pen by your bed. Here are the easy-to-do steps to do before you go to sleep;

1. Write down 3 things that went well today. They can be large or small. It may be as simple as you got a seat on the train to work or your child …. 

By Alison Wem, ago

Relaxation: eat a meal at a table

For many of us today is the first day back at work. How did you get on with ensuring you got 15 minutes downtime? If you have not managed it, there is still time this evening – perhaps a lovely bath or listening to a favourite piece of music.

Do remember this time is for you and should not be done alongside a task like making dinner….

Here is another suggestion for relaxation   – eat a meal at a table with a friend, colleague or loved one.

Humans are social beings and have greater feelings of well-being when they feel more connected to others. As you are sitting it helps your body to move out of the ‘fight or flight’ mode and your digestion improves. You will be inclined to eat less which helps all of us who are watching our weight. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Are you a confident person?

Are you a confident person?

A lot of people ‘fake’ being confident but sometimes their language can give them away.  An interesting article by Bernard Marr highlighting the language of less confident people.  It has received a lot of interest.

10 Phrases truly confident people don’t use by Bernard Marr

While I agree with Bernard Marr, I have also noticed that people who are very direct sometimes use this style of language to try to soften their messages. What have you found? read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Google HQ, London

Googlers new London home: designed for their well-being

Many of you will have seen the reports this week on the plans submitted by Google for their new HQ in Kings Cross, London.  Known for being an innovative and forward-looking company, according to the plans Google has designed in recreational space to;

“ensure the health and wellbeing of staff and foster the innovation and creativity that defines the company”

Google recognizes that the formal desk is not always the place where someone has their most inspirational thoughts.  Often these occur when the conscious brain is sufficiently engaged with activities such as running, walking amongst trees, swimming, enjoying an amazing view that your thoughts from your sub-conscious brain can be heard. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Women: do they make good coaches?

When I started my career in IT, I was often the only woman on the team.  What I observed was that men operated differently and I had to learn to adapt to a new set of team social rules.  In my experience men are;

  • much more direct
  • may even shout at you when irritated
  • not hold a grudge afterwards.

Having a mentor to help with this learning became an imperative for me and was enormously beneficial.

If like me you are in the second half of your career, you may have ruminated on how you operate in the workplace.  Meeting up with a former manager from my youth, he reminded me how when I first worked for him I did not speak up in a group situation, even when he knew I had some good ideas.  This is not an uncommon trait in a woman at work. read more

By Alison Wem, ago