The work of Jon Kabat’Zinn and his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programmes is well known. I recently came across an article by Saki F. Santorelli, one of the MBSR instructors at the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The article is called, Mindfulness and Mastery in the Workplace. It presents 21 ways to reduce stress during the working day.

Here’s a few that I especially liked [you can adapt them to suit your circumstances]:

• While your car is warming up, try taking a minute to quietly pay attention to your breathing.
• While sitting at your desk, keyboard, etc., pay attention to bodily sensations, again consciously attempting to relax and rid yourself of excess tension.
• Use your breaks to truly relax rather than simply “pausing.” For instance, instead of having coffee, a cigarette, or reading, try taking a short walk — or sitting at your desk and renewing yourself.
• Decide to stop for one to three minutes every hour during the workday. Become aware of your breathing and bodily sensations, allowing the mind to settle in as a time to regroup and recoup.
• Choose to eat one or two lunches per week in silence. Use this as a time to eat slowly and be with yourself.
• At the end of the workday, while your car is warming up, sit quietly and consciously make the transition from work to home — take a moment to simply be — enjoy it for a moment.

Like most of us, you’re heading into your next full-time job — home!

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