A recent study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University may provide employers another reason to look closely at mindfulness training for their organization.  Their research showed that mindfulness exercises can reduce the body’s response to biological stress.  Specifically, the researchers found that acceptance, or learning how to be open and accepting of the way things are in each moment, is essential for the stress reduction effects.

Their study employed the use of a smartphone-based app and a group of 144 participants randomly assigned to one of three types of interventions.  Participants in the study completed one 20-minute daily lesson for 14 days.  They were then put in stressful situations while basic vital signs were measured.  The results showed that participants whose intervention included training in monitoring the present moment with acceptance had reduced cortisol and systolic blood pressure activity.

Emily Lindsay, the lead researcher on the study and current postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, explain the benefits of the research, “Not only were we able to show that acceptance is a critical part of mindfulness training, but we’ve demonstrated for the first time that a short, systematic smartphone mindfulness program helps to reduce the impact of stress on the body.  We all experience stress in our lives, but this study shows that it’s possible to learn skills that improve the way our bodies respond to stress with as little as two weeks of dedicated practice. Rather than fighting to get rid of unpleasant feelings, welcoming and accepting these feelings during stressful moments is key."

The concept of mindfulness as a management tool is not new.  Noteworthy tech giants like Google and Intel have used mindfulness training to help employees manage stress and improve mental focus.  Even the U.S. Military has pursued this type of training to support soldiers during pre-and post-deployment periods.  There are countless other examples of studies that show the benefits of mindfulness training.  In fact, a comprehensive analysis of mindfulness research conducted by Case Western Reserve University in 2016 showed a growing body of evidence linking mindfulness to better workplace functioning.

Their analysis found the following benefits of mindfulness:

·        Mindfulness appears to improve attention, cognition, emotions, behavior and physiology.  Most notably, mindfulness has been shown to improve three qualities of attention -- stability, control and efficiency.

·        Individuals who completed mindfulness training were shown to remain vigilant longer on both visual and listening tasks.

·        Research also suggests that mindfulness affects interpersonal behavior and workgroup relationships.

·        Mindfulness may enhance workplace processes that rely on effective leadership and teamwork.

The research from the Carnegie study is noteworthy for employers from several perspectives.  First, it adds to growing evidence that mindfulness training can be effective in reducing stress on the body.  It also demonstrated that benefits can be achieved quickly without an intensive intervention.  Their study also showed that a simple app on a cellphone can be effective.  Tell us what you think.  Has your organization conducted mindfulness training?  Have you seen positive results?  Email us at [email protected]. 

Sources: cmu.edu, weatherhead.case.edu, hbr.org, army.mil