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Meditation[/caption]Virginia Cunningham---Most people don’t really control their work environment, and unfortunately, some people find themselves in a negative work environment that can really take a toll over time. While you may not be able to positively affect your work environment, there are some ways you can make going to work less stressful.
One of the simplest and most beneficial ways is to take up meditation. Many people meditate before or after work, which can be very helpful, but meditating during the day is possible for many people – even in the workplace. Meditation during the day can be even more beneficial, as it helps you to get away briefly in the midst of your work.
The Benefits of Meditation
Regular meditation has a variety of health benefits. Most commonly, people that meditate say that they feel more balanced mentally and physically.
Meditating can also help to boost your mood, which is particularly important if you work in a negative environment. Meditation may also boost productivity at work and make you more efficient because of improved mental clarity.
Tips on Meditating At Work
Meditating during the day may not seem possible, but it doesn’t take hours and a perfect space to get the benefits of meditation. You can likely find a place to meditate at work if you want, and you’ll probably feel more at peace and become more productive once you return to work.
Follow these basic tips for meditating at work.
- Use your office during your lunch break if you have a private space where you can close the door and turn the ringer off on your phone. If you can, try playing some soothing music on your computer.
- Find a park or quiet space near your workplace where you can go for 15 minutes on a break or at lunch. This is especially beneficial if you prefer meditating outdoors or don’t have a private office you can use for meditation.
- Try meditating in short bursts for about five minutes in your office if you just don’t have more time during the day. Even closing your eyes for a few minutes and repeating a mantra in your head can help refocus you.
Don’t Contribute To the Negativity
In a negative environment, it can be easy to make negative comments and get wrapped up in the attitude of the office. For many people in negative work environments, making negative comments is really just about going with the flow and fitting in.
While you might want to fit in at your office and get on everybody’s good side to keep from standing out, you don’t want to make yourself feel worse and less productive by going along with too much negativity.
One of the best things you can do in a negative environment is to simply avoid contributing to the negativity. Don’t make negative comments – avoid spending break time or social time with people that are overly negative. Just staying away from the negativity can make a big difference in your day and help you stay positive.
Add Soothing Elements to Your Workplace
If you have control over your office decorations, there are some easy ways to make your space more soothing – even if you aren’t going to be doing any meditation in your office space. For example, adding natural plants, flowers, and wall fountains to your lobby area or personal office can be extremely beneficial.
Wall fountains in particular are helpful for many people because the sound of running water is very peaceful.
You can’t control everybody’s behavior in your office, and unfortunately, some people are just negative. There’s nothing you can do to change that.
What you can do is make sure you aren’t dragged down by their negativity. Meditating and simply staying above the fray may be all you need to keep your positive outlook and productivity at work.
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Virginia Cunningham is a freelance writer in the Los Angeles area. While working, she enjoys being able to take time away to meditate and refocus on her work day.