Mindfulness at work: How mindfulness training may change the way we work

Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

Authors

Chronic stress, burnout, and major depression are currently major health challenges in Western cultures. Mindfulness is defined as the ability to voluntarily direct attention towards the present moment in an accepting and non-judgmental manner. This ability seems to help to train the mind to detach from the excessive or negative thinking (rumination) that plays a major role in the onset of burnout and depression. Having successfully been implemented in clinical settings, mindfulness trainings are becoming increasingly popular in organizational settings. In this article, we aim to provide a general map of mindfulness trainings in the work-place. Following some necessary background information on the roots of mindfulness, we continue with a short outline of some training formats that are being offered in work-place settings. We will then review recent, selected empirical findings on the impact of such training in work settings, and discuss the perils and promises of integrating mindfulness into the work-place.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHealthy at Work : Interdisciplinary Perspectives
EditorsMarkus Wiencke, Mirella Cacase, Sebastian Fischer
Number of pages17
PublisherSpringer International Publishing AG
Publication date01.01.2016
Pages311-327
ISBN (Print)9783319323299, 978-3-319-81258-8
ISBN (Electronic)9783319323312
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2016

    Research areas

  • Borderline personality disorder, Emotional intelligence, Home practice, Mindfulness training, Work memory capacity
  • Health sciences
  • Psychology