Most of my clients are spending their days hopping from meeting to meeting, which leaves them feeling at a loss for time to recharge. This is why our virtual wellness sessions always end with a call to choose one technique for micro-breaks throughout the work day. While I want everyone to feel empowered in their self-care at work, company culture is an important influence on how and if that actually plays out.
I'm sharing two quick ways to support your team’s wellness within your meetings using mindfulness. Both of these can be done in 1 minute.
1. Breathe Together
Kick off your meeting with everyone taking 3 slow breaths together. This will help regulate your nervous system and center you for a more focused, effective meeting.
Mindful effect: Breathing is one of the most effective ways to bring us into the present moment. After all, your breath only happens in the present. Focusing on even a few rounds of breath starts to break the stress response, focus your mind on breathing versus anxiety, worry, etc. and gives you space from the constant rush of work.
2. Chant Together
Imagine if everyone was saying "Creativity flows easily" right before you kicked off a brainstorm session or repeating "My mind is clear" as you start a budget discussion. It may sound silly, but this is really just mindful hype :)
Set an intention that matches your meeting objective and get everyone on board by chanting it. Be open, allow people to laugh a little as they get into it and notice how they come together to rock the meeting!
Mindful effect: Repeating a word or phrase (mantra or affirmation) becomes your mind's focal point and starts to recalibrate your thoughts and energy to it. When done intentionally, this can feel extremely calming and draw you into the present moment. Chanting or speaking the words out loud can also be grounding and support Vagal tone.
Choose one that makes the most sense for your team and try it out at your next meeting.
When done consistently over time, you can see what resonates and start shifting your culture to one that includes wellness throughout all aspects of the work day!
Ready for me to support your team's wellness?
Learn more about our Corporate Wellness Memberships here, where we'll create a plan for at least once monthly sessions like Desk Stretches or meditation breaks. I'm happy to design custom content based on your wellness campaigns too!
About the Author:
Tiffany Lord, E-RYT & Yoga Therapeutic Specialist
Corporate Yoga Coach
Resilience + Stress Management Expert
As the founder of Love + Asana, I help busy professionals feel more resilient and and increase agency in their wellness. This all-levels, accessible approach to physical and mental health at work allows employees to easily learn and implement healthy habits during their work day…and feel the benefits ripple out into all areas of life
Since 2016, I’ve had the honor of coaching thousands of employees through virtual sessions and workshops focused on relaxation techniques, mindset, and mobility. My wellness articles have been featured in fyi50+, CO Yoga + Life, and I’m the author of three “Get With Gratitude” journals based on my online workshop series for resiliency through a grateful mindset.
I completed a 200-hour training through CorePower Yoga and received my 500-hour Therapeutic Specialist certificate through Yoga Medicine to complement my background in massage therapy and Bachelor’s Degree in International Business with Cum Laude honors from the University of Colorado at Denver. As a Continuing Education Provider with the Yoga Alliance, I share my knowledge of functional movement and the mind-body connection with yoga instructors wanting to deepen their teaching toolkit. My expertise in relaxation techniques and stress management also supports others living with Migraine through collaborations with Cove, an online migraine treatment company, and the International Headache Center.
When I’m not supporting wellness of others, I’m out improving my own – enjoying time with family & friends, dancing, camping, bouldering, reading and drinking too many lattes :)
Questions? Contact Tiffany at loveandasana@gmail.com