According to a 2010 survey from the SECO, 34.4% of the Swiss labor force suffer often or very often from stress. In the Western world, it is estimated that 80% of all visits to the medical profession are stress related. What can be done?
A Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program is a mind/body approach to stress in the workplace, combining some of the latest neuroscience discoveries and research on stress with the ancient but clinically proven skills of mindfulness.
The intention of the program is to lead to a shift in attitude towards life in general and the working life in particular. Mindfulness develops the capability of paying attention in any given moment, increasing awareness of the environment and of others’ perspectives, thus giving rise to an openness to new information by learning to harness their capacity for awareness, participants tune into what is really happening in their bodies and come to recognize the triggers for stress, allowing them to respond more effectively even in the midst of ongoing pressure.
Increasingly the business world is noticing the findings of research as well as studies by the American Institute of Health, the University of Massachusetts, and the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard University.
Benefits of meditation for businesses:
• Reduced costs of staff absenteeism caused by illness, injury, stress
• Improved cognitive function – including better concentration, memory, learning ability, and creativity
• Improved productivity and improved overall staff and business wellbeing
• Reduced staff turnover and associated costs
• Enhanced employer/employee and client relationships
• Reduced health insurance premiums for the business
• A visible and tangible corporate responsibility stance
• Enhanced employee job satisfaction.
As a result numerous well-known companies are introducing mindfulness meditation to their staff, including Google, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deutsche Bank, Apple Computers, Pacific Bell, NASA, Yahoo, AOL, AstraZeneca.
Studies at the University of Massachusetts have found that managers who undergo mindfulness training discover that it helps them to:
• direct and sustain attention,
• become less reactive,
• understand first hand the relationship between outward and inward knowing,
• step out of outmoded or imprisoning mental constructs,
• “catch” emerging insights and innovative ideas,
• deliberately stop – often in the midst of fast-paced, highly-charged business situations – and ask themselves the question, “What is called for now?” rather than falling back on habitual patterns and habits, and
• become increasingly familiar with a deep and abiding awareness.
Some reasons why you may want to participate in the Program:
• Wishing to change your relationship with work pressure
• Feeling out of control due to persistent demands, multi-tasking
• Having little or no success with getting a satisfactory work/life balance
• Finding difficulty to switch off from work
• Stress-related medical problems
The course schedule consists of eight weekly classes and one day-long class on a Saturday or Sunday. Download Seminar Brochure