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Combating Workplace Stress with Vedic Meditation: An Interview with Brett Jarman

By PeopleLeaders | People Leaders Podcast

people meditating

Workplace stress, resilience, psychological safety… These are all buzzwords that have gained increasing attention in recent years. And rightly so.  We spend a huge proportion of our time at the workplace, so it’s critical that we do our best to keep stress to a minimum.

But who is actually responsible for this? Our guest on the podcast this week says the burden of responsibility is shared, and proposes meditation as a solution that can have a huge impact on stress, not just from within the workplace, but also the stresses that naturally make their way into the workplace from “outside.”

Brett Jarman is a Vedic Meditation teacher, and has practised the technique every day, without exception, for more than 33 years. (We, Jan and Michelle, have also been practising the technique for the same period of time).

As a business consultant, mentor, and business mastermind group facilitator, Brett’s also well versed in the impacts of stress in the workplace.

He is also Jan’s husband 🙂, and is very active behind the scenes in our business, so is very familiar with the world of leaders and managers.

He says meditation, and Vedic Meditation in particular, is not just a personal pursuit; it’s a transformative tool that can profoundly benefit the workplace environment.

You can watch here,  or listen here, or read the summary below.

Understanding Stress in the Workplace

Stress is a personal experience that varies from person to person. What causes one person stress may not cause another person stress, so leaders often face the challenge of recognising what their team finds stressful. This in turn, adds to their own stress load. 

The workplace can also often become a scapegoat for stress that employees bring from their personal lives, such as relationship, financial, or health issues, not to mention the pressures brought in from digital connectivity.

The Role of Leaders in Stress Management

Leaders bear the additional burden of stress propagation. Stress is contagious, especially from the top down, making it crucial for leaders to manage their stress effectively. Brett highlights that leaders should cultivate self-awareness and also be vigilant about how their stress levels affect their teams.

Signs of Stress to Watch For

Warning signs of stress in the workplace can include reduced problem-solving ability, increased sick-leave, conflicts in communication, retreating from challenging tasks, exhaustion, overwhelm, brain fog, and lack of creativity. All of these symptoms can be alleviated or even prevented through effective stress management techniques like Vedic Meditation.

Good Stress vs. Bad Stress

Not all stress is detrimental. "Eustress" or beneficial stress, the type that challenges us and prompts growth, isn’t just “good” stress, but it’s essential, personally and professionally. Understanding the distinction between motivating stress and overwhelming stress is key. Meditation is beneficial in both cases..

Meditation: The Golden Key for Leaders

For many CEOs and executives, meditation serves as the "golden key" to unlocking heightened mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Meditation builds resilience, broadens perspective, and enhances decision-making—a critical skill for anyone in a leadership role. But why stop there? Why wouldn’t we want all our staff to have these benefits, especially as it would benefit the organisation overall?

Different Types of Meditation

Different meditation techniques have different impacts, and they broadly fit into three different categories: concentration, contemplation, and transcendence, the category that Vedic Meditation falls under. The first two keep the mind engaged, whereas transcendence allows the mind to disengage, leading to increased creativity, improved problem solving and decision making, and an increase in “baseline happiness.” It also takes the body to a state of rest 3-5 times deeper than sleep, allowing the body to release accumulated stress. 

How to Access Vedic Meditation

Vedic Meditation is best learned from a qualified teacher in person over four 60-90 minute sessions held on consecutive days. Brett stresses the importance of face-to-face instruction, rather than learning online, to genuinely experience and integrate Vedic Meditation.

Opportunities for the Workplace

For organisations interested in incorporating meditation into their wellness programs, Brett advises an initial information session with employees to generate interest. Co-funding the practice with employees demonstrates a shared commitment to employee well-being. In some cases, leaders and business owners may wish to learn the technique first, to verify and validate it, before introducing it to their staff.

Conclusion: Building a Better Workplace Through Meditation

A commitment to meditation can lead not only to personal improvement but also enhance leadership capabilities and foster a healthier workplace. By embracing Vedic Meditation, we open the door to significant positive change for individuals and organisations alike.

 If you are considering meditation for your workplace or personal life, Brett’s guidance offers a practical pathway to unlocking its many benefits.

For more information on Brett’s work or to enrol in meditation courses, you can reach out via his website, email, or Instagram.

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