Mindfulness | Furthr

An eight-week mindfulness program significantly increases the density of your brain

January 19, 2016

Recent research provides strong evidence that practicing non-judgmental, present-moment awareness (a.k.a. mindfulness) changes the brain,

An eight-week mindfulness program has been observed to significantly increase in the density of grey matter in the brain.

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This year, a team of scientists from the University of British Columbia and the Chemnitz University of Technology were able to pool data from more than 20 studies to determine which areas of the brain are consistently affected. They identified at least eight different regions.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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Mindfulness isn’t much harder than mindlessness

January 15, 2016

When we are mindful, we are more productive and innovative, people find us more attractive, and our work output is deemed to be superior. When we are mindful we can take advantage of opportunities to which we’d otherwise be blind and avert dangers not yet arisen.

When we are mindful we are also seen as more authentic and trustworthy, which has a positive influence on our relationships at work – and home.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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How to handle a passive-aggressive colleague

January 14, 2016

Do:

Understand why people typically act this way — their needs probably aren’t being met
Focus on the message your colleague is trying to convey, even if her delivery is misguided
Take a step back and ask yourself if you’re contributing to the issue in some way

Don’t:

Lose your cool — address the underlying business issue in a calm, matter-of-fact way
Accuse the person of acting passive-aggressively — that will only make him madder
Assume you can change your colleague’s behavior

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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Meet your trainer: mindfulness trainer Alexis Bicât

January 8, 2016

Alexis is a highly experienced instructor who has taught at M&C Saatchi, Penguin, Ogilvy and other leading employers.

Alexis grew up travelling extensively and studying Eastern philosophy in Nepal and Tibet. He built a 24 year career with Beuna Vista International, BBC TV, Paramount and Channel 4. He became a student of John Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness methodology and took a keen interest in its scientific support.

I am interested in learning more about mindfulness course.

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Scientists have showed mindfulness can attenuate the progress of ALS

January 8, 2016

Learning basic mindfulness techniques has been scientifically proven to help people live longer, improve eyesight, alleviate stress, lose weight, increase happiness and empathy, decrease cognitive biases and even enhance memory in old age.

Most recently, scientists have showed that mindfulness can attenuate the progress of ALS, a disease that is believed to be “almost solely biologically driven.” Sufferers include Dr Stephen Hawking.

Pay attention to your thoughts and experiences. Notice their transient nature. Don’t be so mindless. These are simple ideas, which is why they can be taught to nearly anyone. They are also powerful ideas, which is why they can improve your life.

I am interested in learning more about mindfulness course.

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World class musicians perform better using mindfulness

January 7, 2016

It has been scientifically proven that world class musicians perform better using mindfulness techniques.

Two studies were designed to test the hypothesis that “actively creating novel distinctions and sonically portraying them during the performance of orchestral music” is preferable to attempting to re-create a past performance.

The results suggested that orchestral musicians preferred creating music when they were encouraged to mindfully incorporate subtle nuances into their performance.

When audience members were played recordings of both types of performance, a significant majority expressed a preference for the performances that were created in a mindful state.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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Three yoga exercises you won’t be embarrassed to do at your desk

January 6, 2016

Lift both shoulders up to your ears and hold for a breath. Release them, slowly rolling your shoulders around and back, dropping them away from your ear. Repeat five times and then relax your shoulders.

Sit near the edge of your chair and interlace your fingers behind you, palms together and facing your back.
Lean forward slightly, lifting your arms so that you feel the stretch in your chest.
Inhale slowly, lifting your chest.
Exhale and relax your shoulders away from your ears.
Hold for 10 to 15 breaths.
Slowly release your hands and return them to your sides.

Sit upright without letting your back touch the back of the chair.
Hold your head directly over your spine, as if there is a string lifting the crown of your head up.
Drop your right ear toward your right shoulder without lifting your right shoulder or turning your head.
Take several breaths in and out, feeling the stretch on the left side of your neck.
To create a deeper stretch, reach your right hand over your head and place it on the left side of your face. Hold the pose for at least five more breaths and then release your hand and straighten your neck, gently massaging your neck and shoulders with your left hand.
Repeat on your left side.

Remember to breathe deeply between each exercise to get the maximum benefit.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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Bosses! To motivate employees do these three things well

January 5, 2016

Material perks are all well and good, but studies show they do nothing to boost employee morale long term. Instead try this:

1. Inspiration

Studies show that people who have a sense of purpose are more focused, creative, and resilient, so leaders should make a point of reminding employees how their work is improving people’s lives.

2. Kindness

According to a U.K. study, companionship and recognition are more important than even high salaries in promoting employee loyalty.

3. Self-care

According to Sabine Sonnentag from the University of Konstanz in Germany, exercise, breaks from work, relaxation practices, and more strict boundaries between work and home can reduce job stress and increase employee well-being and engagement.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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Just six seconds of mindfulness can make you as effective as tennis star Novak Djokovic

January 4, 2016

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Taking just one mindful breath can be effective at calming the body and the mind.

The physiological reason is that breaths taken mindfully tend to be slow and deep, which stimulates the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It lowers stress, reduces heart rate and blood pressure, and calms you down.

The psychological reason is that when you put your attention intensely on the breath, you are fully in the present for the duration of the breath.

To feel regretful, you need to be in the past; to worry, you need to be in the future. Hence, when you are fully in the present, you are temporarily free from regret and worry. That’s like releasing a heavy burden for the duration of one breath, allowing the body and mind a precious opportunity for rest and recovery.

It’s a strategy used by Tennis star Novak Djokovic. The ability to reset and calm the body and mind in mere seconds is how athletes like Djokovic sustain high performance for extended periods.

In a work context, the training and deployment of this skill involves paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. The more you bring this quality of attention to your breath, the more you strengthen the parts of your brain involved with attention and executive control, principally the prefrontal cortex.

Try it today, and see how much more present, effective, and productive you can be.

Together with partner Calmworks, Furthr has designed a mindfulness course that helps people put down mental baggage and approach each new situation with a present, focused mind.

I am interested in learning more about Furthr’s mindfulness course.

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