The other day while sitting on the bus heading to the metro station, I was struck by the fact that I was the only person not looking at a phone. As people streamed in and out this trend remained constant. I realized the chance for impromptu conversations; random thoughts of creativity and just pure mental space are slowly becoming dying art forms.
Why does this matter? As a health and wellness consultant one overwhelming complaint voiced in the workplace is too much stress. I understand that stress and how one handles it are relative to that individual and their circumstances.
I also believe that certain stress contributors are farther away from our control. It is very hard to change a boss who abuses his or her power, and contributes relentlessly to an individual’s stress level, (unless of course you quit your job).
However, we do have the power to change small habits. Taking time to be free from distraction and allow the mind to pause, in my opinion, is a positive step towards minimizing stress. I call this the art of zoning!
In case you were wondering how prevalent stress is in the workplace, and if you should even care, here are a few noteworthy items. These come from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) fact sheet on stress in the workplace.
- 69% of employees report that work is a significant source of stress
- 41% of Americans feel tense or stressed out during the workday
- Obesity and depression are often exacerbated by stress
- Job stress is estimated to cost U.S. industry more than $300 billion a year
Now that you feel totally down, take a deep breath, turn off your phone and try this on for size. Every day presents a new opportunity to experiment with change. Small habits can lead to big change.
Here are five ideas to cultivate the art of zoning. I dare you to try just one!
- Leave your phone in the office when you go out for lunch
- Have a cup of coffee without looking at your phone
- Sit on a bench and just people watch
- Turn off the radio in your car and savor the quiet
- Find 5 minutes daily to just be by yourself without a plan, a phone or a goal
Happy Zoning!
