Mindfulness

in the workplace

Dr Richard Evans, BA, MA, PhD, VetMB, MSc, PGDip; Dip.Int.Psych; Dip. Supervision; MBACP (Senior Accredited);

UKCP-Registered Psychotherapist;

UKCP (HIPS)-Registered Supervisor

Senior Lecturer, Counselling Psychology

What is mindfulness?

“Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally to things as they are” Williams, Teasdale, Segal & Kabat-Zinn (2007, p.47)

What is mindfulness?

• An essentially meditative practice (Kabat-Zinn, 1990)

• It’s NOT esoteric, New Age or spiritual

• A powerful means for enhancing wellbeing

• Strong evidence-base, over 30 years

A little experience of being mindful

• The breathing space….

Evidence-base

• Over 600 trials demonstrate effectiveness in a wide range of circumstances (MBSR, MBCT, MBCP…).

• A NICE recommended treatment for preventing recurrence of depression, the management of severe pain and chronic illness.

Mindfulness in the workplace

• Mindfulness programmes introduced by, for example:

Apple; Google; GlaxoSmithKline;The Home Office; KPMG; transport for London

Google an interesting case in point.

1st programme in 2007- continuously since

Why workplace mindfulness programmes?

• More present workforce• Improved wellbeing• Improved productivity• Improved creativity• Improved self-regulation• Less absenteeism• Better communication & interpersonal relating

(Baer, 2003; Chu, 2010; Shapiro & Schwartz, 2000)

How implemented?

• Needs established personal practice to be most effective (Kabat-Zinn, 1990, Williams et al, 2007)

• Usually offered as a structured 8 week programme – 8 x 2 hour sessions plus home practice

• Shorter introductions possible

What can we offer to help you?• University-based workshops

• In house training ranging from half day introductions to full 8 week programmes

• Collaborative working and research

• Other possibilities?

References • Baer, RA (2003) Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: a conceptual and empirical

review. Clinical psychology: science and practice, 10 (2) 125-143.

• Chu, L-C (2010) The benefits of meditation vis-à-vis emotional intelligence, perceived stress and negative mental health. Stress and health, 26, 169-180

• Kabat-Zinn, J (1990) Full catastrophe living. New York, NY: Delta)

• Shapiro, SL, & Schwartz, GE (2000) Intentional systemic mindfulness; an integrative model for self-regulation and health. Advances in mind-body medicine, 16, (2) 128-134.

• Williams, M, Teasdale, J, Segal, Z & Kabat-Zinn, J (2007) The mindful way through depression. New York, NY: Guildford Press.