Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).
– James Baraz
I recently heard anxiety described as our fear about what might happen in the future, and depression described as our angst about what has happened in the past.
It’s no wonder then that if we focus on spending time in the present moment, we’d all be a lot better off. And there’s help if you want to learn how to do that. It’s the practice of mindfulness. Rooted in ancient traditions, its original purpose was to ease suffering and cultivate compassion. Today, organizations including Boeing, Ford Motor Company, Facebook and Target have adapted mindfulness practices to reduce stress at work.
If this is a new concept for you, you might be rolling your eyes and thinking “That’s a little too woo-woo for me!” (LOL, and I can relate. I thought exactly the same thing a few years ago!)
But I learned, and you can too. I encourage you to suspend judgment and look at my latest column for The Daily Muse. In it, I show you five exercises you can do during your workday, to simply improve your awareness of the present moment.
Read “The Smallest, Simplest Way to Reduce Stress at Work” here.
It’s one simple step you can take, and one more tool you’ll have, to reduce stress at work and anxiety in your day.
Try it this week, and let me know what you find in the comments below. I’d love to hear how it shifts the energy and your thoughts at work!
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