This document discusses how mindfulness meditation can change the structure and function of the brain to improve performance, engagement, and well-being at work. Research shows that mindfulness training can increase grey matter in areas related to learning, memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Studies have found structural changes in the brain after only 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation. Implementing mindfulness practices in the workplace can offer benefits like lower stress, increased creativity and productivity, better decision-making, and higher job satisfaction.

1. THE EVIDENCE
MINDFULNESS
NEUROSCIENCE
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
KEYS TO:
PERFORMANCE
LEADERSHIP
WELL-BEING 5/12/2017
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2. “Neurons that fire together wire
together.”
How Mindfulness Meditation training
can change the structure and
function of the brain. And drive
performance, engagement and well
being at work. To create individuals
and organisations that THRIVE…
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3. MINDFULNESS /NEUROSCIENCE AT WORK
• There is growing evidence of the business case for Mindfulness at Work.
• Michael Chaskalson’s book “The Mindful Workplace: Developing Resilient
Individuals and Resonant Organisations.” is replete with hundreds of
research studies. Many of them Neuroscience based.
• Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. For our
purposes, the Neuroscience of Mindfulness looks at how brain plasticity
can be affected by Mindfulness Meditation.
• This can now be studied by looking at FMRI studies of the brain pre and
post mindfulness training.
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4. STUDIES CONSISTENTLY SHOW CHANGES IN
BRAINS GREY MATTER
• One key study significantly showed (on repeated treatments):
Changes in the grey matter of the brain
• After just 8 weeks of Mindfulness Training at Work, there were
Changes in the structure and function of the brain including the
grey matter.
• This has now been replicated dozens of times ( see Google
Scholar search on Grey matter brain changes)
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5. STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN BRAIN FROM
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION (8 WEEK
DURATION)
• Pre and Post FMRI imaging showed significant increases in grey matter
after an 8 week mindfulness meditation program. *
• This increase in grey matter is responsible for increases in learning,
memory, emotional regulation, self referential processing and
perspective taking.
• * “Mindfulness practise leads to increases in regional brain gray matter
density.” 2011 Holzel, BK., Carmody, Vangel, Psychiatry Research:
Neuroimaging, 191, (1), 36-43.
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8. OTHER NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
RELEVANT TO WORKPLACE BENEFITS
• http://www.mindwork.co/what-is-workplace-mindfulness/the-research-
on-mindfulness
• Emotional Wellbeing, creativity and performance
• Professional Performance
• Decision Making
• Employee turnover
• Emotional intelligence
• Increased physical well being
• Improved Brain functioning
• Better Immunity
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9. CHARACTERISTICS OF A MINDFUL
WORKPLACE
•Lower levels of stress and absenteeism
•More employee engagement ( greater levels of
optimism, empathy, self compassion)
•Greater productivity
•Higher levels of job satisfaction
•Lower levels of employee engagement
•Higher levels of creativity and engagement
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10. THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ATTENTION
TRAINING
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47% Average Time spent Mind
Wandering
70% Leaders Report regularly unable to
be attentive in meetings
2% Regularly make time to enhance
personal productivity
Killingsworth 2010; Mindful Leadership Institute,
2010

11. EMPATHY
MOTIVATION
SELF MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP
SELF AWARENESS
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
MINDFULNESS NEUROSCIENCE
PERFORMANCE
LEADERSHIP
WELL BEING
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12. HOW ?
MINDFULNESS
Paying attention in the present moment on
purpose, non judgementally.
John Kabat Zinn
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“ Meditation refers to a family
of mental training practices
that are designed to
familiarise the practitioner
with specific types of
particular type of mental
processes (and or
Brefczynski-Lewis
2007

15. FOCUSSED
ATTENTION
Follow
Breath
Distraction
Notice
Distraction
Reorient
Attention
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16. “
”
ATTENTION: THE ACT OR FACULTY OF
ATTENDING ESPECIALLY BY DIRECTING
THE MIND TO AN OBJECT
RANDOM HOUSE
“META ATTENTION: ATTENTION OF ATTENTION.
THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHEN THE MIND HAS
WANDERED”
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19. 5 SCIENCE BACKED STRATEGIES TO BUILD
RESILIENCE AT WORK
• 1, Change the narrative: Journalling
• 2. Face Your Fears
• 3. Practise Self Compassion (Be Kind To Yourself, be mindful,
label,treat yourself like a friend
• 4. Meditate to manage the minds negativity bias and to move
into the present.
• Cultivate forgiveness: Let go of anger through Compassion
Training
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20. INCREASING FOCUS AND REDUCING
FRAGMENTED ATTENTION
• The practise described reduces the activity of several parts of the
brain responsible for mind wandering and gets the mind to focus on
a specific thing or process.
• This is proven to reduce the level of unhappiness associated with this
fragmentation of attention and mind jumping.
• This improves concentration, emotional regulation, productivity
• Also allows us to more accurately perceive the world around us.
Reduces conflict and mistakes.
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21. •FOR Further info on how MLT can improve your
organisations Focus, Creativity, Productivity and
Well Being contact
•jen@mindfullife.com.au
•Twitter: Jenniferlb
•Linkedin: Jenniferleebishop
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