An Introduction to Mindfulness in Organizations and in the Classroom

Presented by Debbie Heller, MS, CHWC IBC Preventive Health & Wellness

and Jennifer Bergbauer, [add credentials]

IBC Corporate Research

Objectives

• Understand what mindfulness is and its benefits

• Learn mindfulness techniques to implement in your daily work life

• Understand the value of introducing students to the concept of mindfulness

• Learn practical exercises to teach your students mindfulness

2

The problem: stress at the workplace

Some facts about the impact of workplace stress …

American Psychological Association Practice Organization, (2010). Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program Fact Sheet: By the Numbers. Retrieved from http://www.phwa.org/dl/2010phwp_fact_sheet.pdf

The problem: stress at the workplace

69% of employees report that work is a significant source of stress and 41% say they typically feel tense or stressed out during the workday

The problem: stress at the workplace

One-third of U.S. employees are chronically overworked. And 40% of employees said their workload increased in the past 12 months.

Stress in schools Does burnout begin with student-teaching? Analyzing efficacy, burnout, and support during the student-teaching semester, 2007 Helenrose Fivesa, b, , , Doug Hammana, Arturo Olivareza

Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Health in Teachers: A Methodological and Theoretical Analysis, 2012 R Sergio Guglielmi Kristin Tatrow

Stress response

Chronic stress

Stress response

Recovery

Recovery technique

•Deep breathing

Google search = 3,250,000 results

Our thoughts create our stress

How then?

Mindfulness

Paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present,

and non-judgmentally.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Benefits of mindfulness

Studies suggest: • Reduces stress • Improves concentration and focus • Ignites creativity • Reduces anxiety • Improves communication and relationships • Reduces depression relapse • Aids in coping with serious illness • Lowers blood pressure • Changes the structure of the brain

Types of practices

Formal Informal

•Seated meditation no set time - practiced

•Walking meditation by bringing a keen

•Body scan awareness to any part

•Mindful movement practice of daily living

Mindful Breathing

Deep, focused breathing that occurs in the body

Students [to be determined if this slide makes sense to use]

Facebook and texting made me do it: Media-induced task-switching while studying. Rosen, Carrier, Cheever. Computers in Human Behavior, May 2013

Next steps Mind your stress toolbox

[Jen, are you able to capture the toolbox frame with software you may have and also add the exercises that you will be using?]

References

•American Psychological Association Practice Organization, (2010). Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program Fact Sheet: By the Numbers. Retrieved from http://www.phwa.org/dl/2010phwp_fact_sheet.pdf

8/27/2014