MINDFULNESS GOES TO WORK Contact: Kim Aikens Kim@aikensapproach.com T. 231-838-5722
Mindfulness The learned ability to: Pay attention on purpose in the present moment non-judgmentally Identify objectively and systematically thought patterns emotional states physical reactions Enabling the ability to better identify and solve problems in all environments.
Mindfulness Program Objectives: Nature of Thought We tend to run on autopilot, being wrapped up in what we are thinking rather than aware of what is occurring in the present moment. We are typically unaware of the wandering mind or the nature of thought. Nature of the Stress Response Stress is more often related to what we tell ourselves about an event and whether or not we can meet the demand, rather than about the event itself. Objectivity in Times of Stress We work on learning to respond to difficult events by taking a step back and becoming objective observers, rather than automatically reacting. This improves relationships, communication, problem solving, and can dramatically decrease occupational stress. Power of Being Present By learning to be fully present to all experience, we can improve focus as well as quality of life. This helps us become more engaged both at work and home, improving health and performance. Copyright 2012 2015 The The Aikens Approach
Mindfulness in Medicine Clinical trials have found mindfulness programs to have therapeutic effects on multiple conditions including: Psoriasis Fibromyalgia Type II Diabetes Cancer Symptoms Rheumatoid Arthritis Chronic Pain Chronic Insomnia
Psychological Research Research has consistently shown psychological benefits such as decreased: Studies have consistently shown psychological benefits such as decreased: Anxiety ADHD Perceived Stress Depression Bipolar Disorder And positive influences in areas of the brain involved in regulating: Attention Awareness Emotion Learning Memory Introspection
Science for Skeptics MRI and EEG technology of participants in these trials show increased: Cortical thickness Density of grey matter Alpha wave activity leftsided anterior region Modulation of specific alpha wave bands Enhanced activity in cerebral cortex and hippocampus Serotonin levels
Mindfulness in Business Studies have shown that mindfulness can positively impact: Reliability and safety Product failure management Marketing strategy Task performance Work engagement and employee turnover Resonant leadership
The Workplace Problem Studies have shown that occupational stress and poor employee mental health is a costly problem impacting: Absenteeism/Presenteeism- Depression alone results in $23 B a year in lost work days (Pfeifer 2008). Stress is a direct predictor of absenteeism (Marzec 2015) Productivity- 51% of workers with workplace stress reported lost productivity (APA 2010) Safety- workers with moderate to high levels of psychological distress have increased odds ratio of 1.4 for workplace accident (Hilton 2010) Medical Claims- Combined costs of $15.5M for mental health problems compared to $7.5 M for HTN and $10 M for tobacco use (Goetzel et al. 2012)
Dow Chemical Mindfulness Study April-November 2012
Analysis Follow-up Allocation Dow Participant Flow Chart Figure 1- Participant Flow Chart Health risk appraisal group contacted (n=600) Contacted Dow study center (n=135) Randomized (n=90) study size limitation Allocated to mindfulness intervention (n=44) Allocated to mindfulness wait-list control (n=45) Did not begin allocated intervention (n=6) Did not begin allocated intervention (n=10) Premature termination (n=2) Premature termination (n=3) Completed < 50% material (n=2) Completed < 50% material (n=0) Followed up at PI: n= 36 FU: n=31 Followed up at PIWL n=32 ITT sample (n=44) Complete sample (n=34) ITT sample (n=45) Complete sample (n=32)
Study Scales Prior to the program, after the 8 week session, and following the 6 month follow-up period, all participants took the following scales: CD-RISC-Resiliency Scale Shirom Vigor Work Engagement Scale PSS 14-Perceived Stress Scale Five Facets of Mindfulness Scale
Dow Mindfulness Study Results Statistically significant improvements were found in almost all measures studied, including: Resilience Perceived Stress Physical Strength Cognitive Liveliness Emotional Energy Remained steady at 6 month follow-up Maintained at 6 month follow-up According to the Shirom Vigor scale. Employees especially felt more physically strong, both following the trial and at 5 months A subcomponent of Shirom Vigor, and predictive of employee turnover A subcomponent of Shirom Vigor Statically significant improvements were also found in: Decreased fast food meals eaten per week High stress episodes Days too burned out to work
Five Facets of Mindfulness Statistically significant improvements were also found in the Five Facets of Mindfulness Measures. This is important because the Five Facets have powerful applications for positive organizational behavior: Statistically Significant Results Found in: Observation Beneficial results stable at 6 months Ability to Describe Beneficial results increased at 6 months Acting with Awareness Beneficial results increased at 6 months Non-judgment Beneficial Results increased at 6 months Non-reactivity Beneficial results increased at 6 months
Burnout Trends Linear regression analysis showed the following statistically significant burnout trends: Daily High Stress Episodes Days too Burned Out to Work 3 1.8 2.5 1.6 1.4 2 1.2 1 1.5 0.8 0.6 1 0.4 0.2 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of high stress episodes per week decreased from 2.8 per day in week 1 to 1.5 after week 8. Linear regression analysis showed high stress episodes decreased at a rate of -.18 per week over the 8 week period. Days to burned out to work per week decreased from 1.67 in week 1 to.64 after week 8. Linear regression analysis showed episodes decreased at a rate of -.15 per week over the 8 week period. These changes were statistically significant.
Lifestyle Trends Linear regression analysis showed the following statistically significant dietary trends: Fast Food Intake Servings Fruit and Vegetables 1.7 4.5 1.6 1.5 4 1.4 1.3 3.5 1.2 1.1 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of fast food meals eaten per week decreased from 1.62 in week 1 to 1.27 after week 8 Number of servings of fruits and vegetables increased from 3.17 to 3.77 servings per day. The above changes were statistically significant. No significant changes were found on hours slept per night or daily exercise time.
Mediation and Conclusion Mindfulness fully mediated: ~Decreased perceived stress ~Increased vigor and work engagement Mindfulness partially mediated: ~Increased resilience Resulting in enhancement of positive organizational behavior Copyright 2014 The Aikens Approach
The Future?
Integrating mindfulness into all apsects of physical and mental health using a fun and engaging software platform
Experience It
Autopilot: Being so caught up in your own thoughts that you are scarcely aware of what you are doing Copyright 2011 The Aikens Approach
Count to 10 Exercise
Autopilot Consequences Accelerated stress response to difficult situations Difficulty with communication Safety issues Quality of life
The Overflowing Office