Why should most CEOs practice mindfulness

by Shikha Menon | Bangkok | Apr 8, 2022 | Lifestyle

Why should most CEOs practice mindfulness

Cultivating the ability to maintain attention in the present, without judging it, could irreversibly transform every part of our existence…

I have realized that the past and the future are true illusions; they exist in the present, which is what we have and is all there is.

—Alan Watts

The exercise of mindfulness simply involves cultivating the connection with the present moment and making it a habit. In other words, it is about allowing each thing we do, no matter how small or trivial it may seem, every event that comes our way, to be the most important thing at that moment and to have our full attention.

It is also a practice shared by most of the world’s cultural and religious systems and is closely related to various methods of meditation—such as those derived from the Zen tradition and Tibetan meditative practice. Today, mindfulness is widely known and used in medicine, education and psychology.

At its core, mindfulness meditation is the practice of being in the present moment as consciously as possible. This means being mindful of every movement, situation, breath… Over time, using this method, it is possible to increase the power of focus concentration, relieve stress, become more empathetic, etc.

How to practice mindfulness?

Getting out of your own mind and living in the present moment is the purpose of mindful meditation. A simple practice that has been gaining more and more fans over the years.

Naturally, this skill depends largely, like any other, on practicing it. Many types of meditation, for example, focus the mind on the present through attention to breathing (from the moment of birth until death, the human being inhales and exhales); others focus on the physical sensations of the body in real time, on the movement or on the sounds that exist around us. The mind naturally tends to wander and lean towards compulsive and obsessive thinking, but the technique is to bring it back without frustration, without judgment, over and over again. It is not about not thinking but observing your thoughts and returning.

With the passage of time and daily practice, the goal is no longer just to put our attention in the present but to hold it that way at will. In this way, the exercise becomes a habit and then it is possible to start practicing it inadvertently, resulting in the way of life that allows us greater awareness and the possibility of experiencing the moments of life more fully.

The benefits of mindfulness for CEOs

Why do business leaders advocate meditation instead of, say, massage or physical exercise?

The reason is that there is definitely something about mindfulness practice that seems to benefit CEOs more than physical training and other types of relaxation.

Specialists in mindfulness training for companies affirm that the growing interest among business leaders in this type of practice is mainly due to the benefits it has provided them, among which is the development of leadership skills, understanding, openness and optimism.

Mindfulness research concludes that mindfulness training improves three skills that are key to successful leadership in the 21st century: resilience, collaboration, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex conditions.

On a physical level, the practice of conscious attention is capable of developing and strengthening neural circuits in the same way that a muscle is strengthened when it is exercised; it is capable of reducing stress, insomnia, depression and anxiety; it also radically strengthens our ability to focus and concentrate.

On a less individual level, the practice of these disciplines has a potential for community transformation, as it is capable of bringing us closer to others in unexpected ways by strengthening our ability to listen to others without judging, always with kindness, generosity and compassion.

Finally, the practice of mindfulness allows a glimpse of how dazzling the present can be as it is—a lesson as simple as it is complex and as refreshing as it is essential.

Final Words

Different studies by psychologists and cognitive scientists have confirmed that mindfulness helps to strengthen the ability to regulate emotions, benefiting modern leaders who, among other things, must be able to control anger, have empathy and put themselves in the “shoes of others” for a better relationship with work teams.

The relationship between mindfulness and leadership is a fact. The question is, how long will it take to be integrated as an essential theme of managerial development in companies? Time will tell, but if a company wants to increase its effectiveness and lead the changing market, it must seriously study the implementation of mindfulness programs among its employees, and especially among its managers.

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Balance Health and Wealth Through Corporate Wellness Programs, Los Angeles

by ASHA Team, USA | Sep 24, 2021 | Ayurveda

Balance Health and Wealth Through Corporate Wellness Programs, Los Angeles

Every team deserves the gift of good health, considering the dedication and time they put towards meeting organizational goals every day. At the end of the day, healthy employees will always help develop wealthy businesses, irrespective of the world’s location. For corporate professionals of a bustling American city like Los Angeles, corporate wellness programs with dashes of Ayurveda would be most helpful.

The Need for Ayurveda

The pressures and stresses in modern corporate life are pretty high. Competition from team mates, other companies, and tight deadlines take the winds out of most ordinary mortals. HR departments across companies are now trying to organize seminars with wellness coaches, yoga teachers, and other trainers. Ayurvedic science aims to enhance team spirit, emotional health, and self awareness of the professionals over time. They get to know how to correct long-standing health imbalances through simple methods, ranging from diet to meditation.

Better Creativity and Productivity

A basic explanation about Ayurvedic principles is necessary before describing how to improve organizational creativity and productivity in Los Angeles. Ayurveda states that all matter in the Universe, including the human body (including the ‘corporate body’), are composed of five elements- water, air, space, fire, and earth. These elements are governed by three biological humours or ‘doshas’ as follows:

Biological Humours	Elements
Vata	Space, air
Kapha	Water, Earth
Pitta	Fire, Water

As per Ayurveda, all three doshas are present in every cell and tissue of the body. Together they are responsible for governing psycho-physiological changes in our bodies and minds. The permutations and combinations of these doshas differ among individuals, thereby determining a person’s physical-mental-emotional energy pattern.

Here’s how balancing the doshas helps:

Balancing Vata leads to high creativity and super activeness, but too much of it can cause anxiety.
Balanced Pitta makes a person intelligent, focused, and passionate, but excess leads to anger and being judgmental.
Balanced Kapha means the person is grounded and can make correct decisions as a manager. On the other hand, it could make a manager too attached with plans.

For setting up an innovative team for growth, remember that the team’s collective dosha (energy pattern) will be determined on the basis of doshas of individual team members.

Incorporating Ayurveda into the Wellness Program

Now that you know how important this ancient medical science is, the trick is to incorporate it into the wellness programs without disrupting routines. Here’s what a company can do:

Organize Ayurvedic massages for employees and employers twice a week, as per schedules.These massages are immensely helpful in reducing stress. Specialized Ayurvedic oil flow therapy for the forehead would also be useful.
Create diet patterns in consultation with Ayurvedic experts and send them to all employees on email.
Organized detailed weight loss corporate programs as per shift timings for only those who are interested.
Mental health programs can include the benefits of Ayurveda for leading a balanced life.
Specific exercise programs as per doshas.

Exercise is Very Important

According to dominant doshas, Ayurveda practitioners are likely to recommend specific exercises to keep minds and bodies fit. Here’s what you can do:

Kapha – A combination of weight-resistance and cardio exercises should be practiced by those with dominant Kapha doshas. This method works best with a workout buddy though.
Pitta– Such people are liable to push themselves very hard and must stop themselves from exercising in the heat. They can stay active by participating in a variety of team sports activities and will also be able to satisfy their natural competitive spirits.
Vata– Individuals with dominant Vata doshas are always ‘on-the-go’, and this urge can be best satisfied through locomotive activities like running, cycling, walking, tai chi, yoga, and others.Do not Overburden Employees with Literature

Corporate employees, whether in Los Angeles or in other parts of the world, already have their plates full with a lot of work. Therefore, if they’re asked to read more about Ayurveda for the sake of health, most of them are likely to give it a miss. Instead, organizations should prepare programs that can easily be incorporated into their schedules and meet their lifestyle goals by identifying problem areas first.

Stress is a major disruption in most lifestyles and Ayurveda certainly helps to combat the same. Better wealth is always the goal for employees, but if it comes with better health as well, why wouldn’t anyone be interested?