Reduce Stress and Boost Productivity: Mindfulness for Busy Professionals

If you’re an attorney, executive, or are in any other career that has built-in high stress levels, stop what you’re doing and read the rest of this blog post. Not mixing in some mindful activity could easily be the biggest mistake with the easiest solution you’re neglecting right now.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, your brain processes about 70,000 thoughts each day. What? Just so we’re on the same page, read it again…your brain processes about 70,000 thoughts each day. Without going into any other details or particulars about these thoughts, I think it’s safe to say that every day you have stress. How can that many thoughts not result in some level of stress. We’re not even mentioning the nature or severity of some of the decisions your thoughts could ultimately lead to. On the surface, tens of thousands of thoughts a day is a lot! Under the surface, managing all of that is immeasurable. Stress is real – every day.

Mindfulness is an intentional focus on the moment without judgement. When you practice mindfulness, you are retraining your mind and your brain to settle into the present moment. Imagine being on the beach in La Jolla, California on a 75 degree day, not a cloud in the sky – listening to the ocean roll up to the shoreline and then back out again. How bright is the sun? What is the smell that fills the air? Is there a breeze? Are there other people around? Do any birds fly by you? What does the ocean sound like as it’s moving in and out? When you intentionally focus on the present moment to answer each question without judgment, you are practicing mindfulness.

So how does mindfulness help reduce stress

When you deliberately focus on the present, it helps you feel calm. A more relaxed body and mind will help you respond to stress, instead of reacting. The calmer you are, the better your ability to deal with stressful situations. You will get more done and with fewer mistakes, and most importantly – without the feeling of a heightened level of stress! It reduces activity in the part of your brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is central to switching on your stress response, so effectively, your background level of stress is reduced. Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts; the more aware of your thoughts you are, the better you can focus. It’ll also help you to not immediately act on something.

What are the benefits of mindfulness?

Separating yourself for as little as 5 minutes so you can focus on the present moment has a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. There is growing evidence suggesting mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve your sleep. Studies are already showing how mindfulness reduces anxiety and depression. As a busy professional, improving your cognitive function will improve your focus which will also increase your productivity.

Start practicing mindfulness during your day

You can practice being mindful any time, any place, and in almost any and every situation. As a busy professional, this practice should become a priority – to be more productive and even more importantly, for your mental health. Here’s a simple 5-step process you can start working on right now!

1. (1) Breathing: Focus on a 3-5 second inhale, hold for 2-4 seconds, and exhale for 3-5 seconds.
2. Concentration: Pay attention to each inhale and exhale.
3. Awareness: Be aware of your body as you breathe.
4. Releasing Tension: Release tension with each exhale.
5. Moving Meditation: Practice mindfulness during a walk, staying present and enjoying the moment.

Start practicing mindfulness today and you’ll immediately begin reaping the benefits of reducing stress, becoming more productive, and creating a better work-life balance. Forward this blog post on to the last and the next person who says anything about being under stress. They’ll thank you for it!