1. The Role of Mindfulness in Workplace Health & Safety
22nd February, 2019

2. What we’ll cover The rise of mindfulness and what is driving it
What is mindfulness?
What are the benefits?
Some practice

3. The awakening of mindfulness

4. Mindfulness in the workplace

5. Mental health in the spotlight
WHO predicts:
Mental illness will be the leading cause of workplace disability & absence by 2030 if not proactively addressed
Depression is set to become the 2nd biggest burden on health care resources worldwide in 2020

6. Our modern-day stress pandemic
2017 NZ Wellness in the Workplace Survey reported stress up 23% compared to previous years
Southern Cross Health Society & NZ Business

7. Some acknowledgment
Job stress recognised as a significant occupational hazard (psychosocial risk/hazard)
Employers required to account for mental health and people's behaviour when creating a safe workplace

8. The nature of our minds
“I have experienced some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”
~Mark Twain
“We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.”
~ Anais Nin

9. Stone-aged brains in a modern world

10. What is mindfulness? Paying attention in the present moment,
Jon Kabat-Zinn:
Paying attention in the present moment,
on purpose, and
non-judgmentally

11. Benefits of mindfulness practice
Mental Health
Reduced symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, lower reactivity and improve emotional regulation
Physical Health
Increased immune function, lowered blood pressure, increased pain tolerance, improved sleep
Cognitive Abilities
Improved focus, working memory, cognitive flexibility, creativity and innovative problem solving abilities
Relationships
Increased emotional intelligence and greater compassion

12. How mindfulness impacts our brains
Prefrontal cortex
Left hippocampus
Amygdala

13. Balancing the nervous system
Central Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Energy producing
Mobilising for action (fight or flight)
“Doing” mode
Energy conserving
Rest and repair
“Being” mode

14. Improving attention and focus

15. Mindfulness = attention training

16. CIRAS Case Study: MBSR for safety critical workers
FGC Catalan: public operator of urban, suburban and regional rail lines with 80 million passengers a year
Results:
85% said their attention was ‘higher’ or ‘much higher’ than before the course
No operational incidents in 6 month period after course
Benefits for drivers include: improved concentration, emotional regulation & resilience and better individual coping strategies for stress & fatigue

17. A little practice…