Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Fries, M. Mindfulness based stress reduction for the changing work environment. Journal of Academic and Business Ethics, Vol. 2. Retrieved April 22, 2010 from: http://www.aabri.com/jabe.html

This study describes how stress affects people in their work and personal lives and discusses ways that employers and employees should deal with this stress. Workers today have more things to keep up with than in the past and this fact contributes to the excessive stress seen in many work environments. Stress, as defined by Selye and as quoted in the study, is “the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it”. The author states that “mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to things as they are”. “It can be used to help alleviate stress, improve work satisfaction, productivity, and the quality of one’s live”. It is also stated that stress is not to be avoided altogether; it is a normal part of life. It is chronic, long-term stress that must be dealt with to avoid physical and mental problems that can arise as a result of prolonged stress. Citing recent survey data from the American Psychological Association, the author states the level of stress in the US is out of control. Seventy-seven percent of respondents have experienced some physical symptoms of stress in the last month and seventy-three percent have experienced some psychological symptoms. Further reported in the data were the leading causes of work-related stress: low salaries (44%), heavy work load (41%), lack of opportunity (40%), uncertain job expectations (40%), and long hours (39%). To deal with stress, the author states that one of two approaches can be applied: either alter the “stressor” (external focus) or alter one’s perception of the stressful situation (internal focus). He states that traditionally, management has focused on the external factors to try to lesson stress in the workplace. Many firms today are moving toward a more internal focus by being more cognizant of their employee’s needs and “making strides to be more aware of personality characteristics and dynamics of work interactions”. And some managers understand that if they want their employees to be more productive and satisfied, the employee need to feel that their work is worthwhile, they are in control of achieving their goals, and that they are receiving ongoing recognition for their work. The study goes on to discuss the methods and usefulness of using mindfulness, defined earlier. This study discusses a very important subject and goes into quite a bit more detail than what is outlined in this annotation. I believe that all managers should learn more about this subject because, even if they are not interested in the mindfulness techniques, it is certainly worthwhile to have an understanding of how stress is created and how it affects the employees and the business, so that they can create a work atmosphere that reduces stress for the entire workforce and therefore increases overall productivity.