A few tips on bringing mindfulness to work.  More tips are on the way so stay tuned.

Reduce Stress During the Workday

1. Take five to thirty minutes in the morning to be quiet and meditate, and/or lie down and be with yourself…gaze out the window, listen to the sounds of nature, or take a slow quiet walk.

2. While your car is warming up, try taking a minute to quietly pay attention to your breathing.

3. While driving, become aware of body tension, e.g. hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel, shoulders raised, stomach tight, etc., consciously working at releasing, dissolving that tension…Does being tense help you to drive better? What does it feel like to relax and drive?

4. Decide not to play the radio and be with your own sound.

5. On the interstate, experiment with riding in the right lane, going five miles below the speed limit.

6. Pay attention to your breathing and to the sky, trees, or quality of your mind, when stopped at a red light or toll plaza.

7. Take a moment to orient yourself to your workday once you park your car at the workplace. Use the walk across the parking lot to step into your life. To know where you are and where you are going.

From: Engaged Buddhist Reader, Edited by Arnold Kotler, Copyright 1996 by Parallax Press