Remote Learning: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in the Workplace

Under the Health, Safety and Welfare at work Act 2005 stress is highlighted as a hazard (HAS, 2005). Therefore stress must be assessed and managed like any other physical hazard that occurs in the workplace. This workshop will explore what we mean by the term ‘stress’, how it manifests in our personal lives and at work and how mindfulness can support us in responding to it. The programme promotes self-awareness, personal development and general wellbeing.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre in 1979. The course is suitable for those with prior meditation experience as well as those who have none. It introduces participants to different forms of mindfulness practice including sitting meditation, body awareness and gentle mindful movement.  As the emphasis is on bringing mindful awareness into everyday life, a commitment to daily home practice of twenty to thirty minutes is required. At the end of the course participants should have acquired a set of practical tools that allow them to cope better with stress in the workplace, and in their personal lives, through increased self-awareness, emotional and attention regulation. 

This workshop will be delivered live on Zoom: This will allow participants to interact with the trainer and other participants in a virtual classroom where, in addition to the workshop content which will include mindfulness guided meditation practice, there will be time built in for live discussions, question & answer sessions and skills practice. The course can be accessed wherever there is an internet connection; on a desktop, tablet or even a smartphone.

Suitable for: people in a wide range of work settings.

Members of The Psychological Society of Ireland and The Addiction Counsellors of Ireland can earn learning credits/CPD points for completing this workshop

Duration

This is an 8 week programme: A weekly session of 2 hours for eight weeks plus a practice retreat on a Saturday from 10.00 to 16.00 (GMT + 1). Participants are required to devote approximately 30 minutes per day to mindfulness practice at home between sessions.

Programme Aims

The practices in the programme aim to help the participant to:

  • use mindfulness techniques to relate differently to worry and feelings of anxiety and better manage stressful situations in both work and home life
  • become familiar with the workings of the mind, including the ways we avoid or get caught up in difficulties
  • sustain the practice of mindfulness as a self-care tool that can be integrated into their work and home life
  • explore ways of releasing ourselves from old habits of mind that increase anxiety levels
  • get in touch with a different way of knowing themselves and the world
  • reduce the impact of self judgement and increase self acceptance 
  • be able to exercise greater choice in life
  • manage interpersonal conflict more effectively
  • experience improved feelings of self-worth and compassion for others

Training Programme Content

Participants will receive information and relevant literature via email to enable them to develop their understanding of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. There will be the opportunity during the training for participants to practice and experience mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. As mindfulness training is primarily experiential in nature, the main ‘work’ of the course is done at home between classes. Participants will receive a weekly email summarising the content and practice instructions for that week plus meditation recordings. Participants are required to practice at home during the week for approximately 30 minutes per day. 

Programme Certification

The programme is delivered by a qualified MBSR/MBCT trainer. All participants who attend the programme fully will receive an eCertificate of Completion in “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in the Workplace” from The Learning Curve Institute.

Connect with your Trainer

All materials are provided by The Learning Curve Institute. The Learning Curve Institute offers a unique post course support system whereby participants are provided with the contact details of the trainer and are free to contact him/her with any questions they may have subsequent to the training.