The world of work is fast, competitive and can be stressful at times. Practicing mindfulness in the workplace can help employees find the focus and thoughtfulness to combat stress and create the productive, happy workplace that allows them – and the business – the thrive.

Here are our top five ways to practice mindfulness in the office space…

Take a breath

When work gets hectic it can be easy to get lost and end up stressed. Instead, one of the most impactful things you can do in the office is stop and take a breath. Several of them, in fact.

Give yourself 60 seconds to concentrate on nothing except inhaling and exhaling. Really focus on the process and you might start to feel your stress melt away. In its place, renewed focus and a clearer mind to see you through the problem.

Regular breaks are essential

The idea that employees can work at maximum efficiency for hours at a time has been consigned to the dustbin of history in recent years. It’s easy to think that you don’t have time to take breaks throughout the day, but the reality is that you don’t have time not to.

Working for approximately one hour and then taking a short break is proven to lead to the highest levels of productivity, not to mention improved attention to detail and greater creativity. You should consider getting away from the computer regularly and taking a mindfulness break to keep yourself fresher and more rejuvenated.

Choose the right office and workspace

Part of a successful mindfulness strategy is making sure you are comfortable in the office. That can mean kitting out your desk with what you need to inspire you and keep you focused, such as plants or pictures.

It can also mean making sure you have the right environment for work within the office. Whereas traditional offices provided long banks of open-plan desks, modern spaces like those provided by FigFlex offer a range of different workspaces for different needs. If you prefer privacy or quiet, make sure you find a place to work which provides that.

Pay attention to the basics

Office work can involve a range of tasks that can be boring, distracting or that otherwise take you out of the flow. A good way to stay in the present and turn them into a positive part of your day is to carry them out in a mindful fashion.

Think through every stage of what you are doing, paying attention to how you are doing it and the physical acts you are undertaking. Focussing your mind on tasks that might seem trivial can help to minimise or contextualise other worries and anxieties that your work has thrown at you and allow you to refocus effectively.

Make use of health and wellbeing amenities

The modern office often contains a range of health and wellbeing amenities which can make your work day much more productive. For example, secure bike storage might enable you to ride into work rather than drive, with all the benefits that brings.

Many offices now also come with a gymnasium or other exercise spaces which can help you keep physically active or take exercise breaks. Cafes, lounges and other socialising spaces can help you take the emotional load off, too. Being mindful of what opportunities are available in the office and then taking advantage of them is a meaningful way to practice a healthier lifestyle in the office.

FigFlex offices provide a range of amenities including gyms, cafes, landscaped gardens and much more. Looking to rent a serviced office? Get in touch with the team today to find out more.