How to Communicate your Mindfulness Practice to Coworkers and Leaders
When you begin incorporating mindfulness into your workday, it’s likely that you’ll need to communicate your practices to coworkers and managers—especially in industries or work cultures where being “on” at all times is the norm. Setting clear expectations helps create space for mindfulness without confusion or misunderstanding. And who knows, it might spark curiosity in your colleague, leading them to want to explore it further! See below some helpful talk tracks.
For creating separation between work and home
“I’m learning how damaging the effects can be for people without a work-life balance. Blurring the lines between work and home can lower productivity and increase the chances of burnout; I am concerned this could become me if I don’t make some changes. Setting boundaries and keeping defined working hours is something I’m actively working toward. I’d love to talk to you more about what I’m trying and also how I’d prefer to handle any urgent messaging outside of my working hours.”
“I’ve noticed that there are times during the workday when I feel overwhelmed due to the intensity of the workload. This sometimes affects my productivity and the quality of my work. To manage this better, I’ve been considering incorporating short breaks into my workday. A brief pause for mindfulness can help clear my mind, reduce stress, and refocus my attention on the task at hand.”
“There’s a growing body of research supporting the benefits of mindfulness meditation but more specifically, separating your work and home life. Regular practice of “unplugging” has been shown to reduce stress, increase focus and improve productivity. Google, Apple, and even the U.S. military have introduced mindfulness programs for their staff with positive results.”
“I understand the concern that this might take away from my working hours. However, each micro-break would only be about 5-10 minutes long, and I believe the boost in productivity afterwards would more than compensate for this short break. Plus, it’s no different from taking a quick coffee or water break.”
“How about we try this for a month and assess the results? If my productivity and work quality improve, we could even consider sharing this practice with the rest of the team.”
For describing your meditation practice
“I can understand why it might seem strange if you’ve never tried it before, so I thought we could talk about it. Meditation isn’t a mystical practice; it’s actually a simple and scientifically supported way to manage stress and improve focus.”
“You know when you’re so engrossed in a book, or a game, or even a good conversation that you forget about everything else? That’s being present. That’s what mindfulness meditation is about, and it doesn’t have to be sitting still - you can meditate while walking, doing the dishes, or listening to music.”
“The science behind meditation is pretty compelling. Research shows it can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even help with physical health issues like lowering blood pressure. It’s been adopted by athletes, business leaders, and even schools worldwide.”
“Meditating has really helped me deal with stress and stay more focused and productive. And don’t worry, you don’t have to participate if it’s not your thing. But if you ever feel like trying it out, or just learning more about it, I’d be happy to share or guide you through a session.”