Friday, December 14, 2007

Practising Meditation at Work

With tight deadlines, performance reviews, and the threat of downsizing, today's highly competitive work environment places extraordinary pressures on employees and managers alike.

Even practitioners of traditionally stable occupations like teaching and medicine are experiencing unprecedented work stress. But whatever your job situation, you can reduce your stress by following these tips for meditating while you work:
  • Each morning before you leave, you can reinforce your resolve to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. If you can, meditate briefly before you head out the door to set the tone of the day.
  • Have lunch with people you like or have a quiet lunch alone. You can also take a walk or do some other kind of exercise during your break; a great way to relieve your stress.
  • Instead of hanging around the coffee machine and adding caffeine to your long list of stressors, use your breaks to meditate quietly in your office or cubicle.
  • Once every hour or two take a few minutes to stop what you're doing, take a few deep breaths, follow your breathing, and get up and stretch or walk around.