Mindfulness in the Digital Workplace: an explorative study of the compatibility of mindfulness and technology

Abstract

Mindfulness has made its way into the business context. Simultaneously, several options for digitally encouraging mindfulness have been proposed in recent years, with opposing opinions questioning the compatibility of mindfulness and technology, claiming it is a paradox. This study aims to examine the compatibility of mindfulness and technology, i.e., how mindfulness and digitalization interact as compatible or incongruous phenomena in the digital working context. Semistructured interviews with 15 experts, all specializing in technology and mindfulness in the workplace, were conducted to generate hypotheses of digital mindfulness at work. Qualitative content analysis as well as content analysis via extraction were utilized in this study to explore mutual relationships. Information about workplace mindfulness, digitalization, technology and digital stress was synthesized. The themes “Mindful by Workplace-Design” (a) and “Working Mindfully in a Digital Cooperation” (b) resulted in suggested modifications for digital workplaces. The compatibility of the two phenomena escalated at the “Tipping Point” (c), reached beyond the use of mindfulness apps, i.e., when wearables are added. The results point out the limits of digital mindfulness, as well as opportunities for the cooperation of mindfulness and technology. For employers, the study provides guidance for shaping mindful digital workplaces and mindful work cultures.

Mediating Role of Teachers’ Effective Communication Skills in the Relationship between Interpersonal Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being

“…Internet technologies have important learning opportunities to engage people and enhance their lives, but they can also have negative impacts if attention is not paid to human-centered well-being (Henriksen et al, 2022). While many areas of social life have been restructured around digital communication, workplace digitisation has been accelerated during the pandemic (Wrede et al, 2023). Home-office and workplace digitisation came with some disadvantages such as job ambiguity and stress.…”

“…One of the most common stressors was found to be job ambiguity, while the most common indicator of a stressor was found to be a technology (Ayyagari et al, 2011). In home-offices, workers lost the boundaries between private life and work in addition to the multitude of communication channels (Wrede et al, 2023). So do teachers.…”

A multisensory mindfulness experience: exploring the promotion of sensory awareness as a mindfulness practice

“…There is an apparent paradox when relating mindfulness to technology, where some experts argue that mindfulness not only preserves its positive effect on wellbeing when mediated by technology, for example, in the workplace (Wrede et al, 2023), but it can even make the practice more motivating and increase adherence (Wrede et al, 2023). Indeed, gamification and digitalization have expanded the reach of mindfulness.…”

“…However, gamification and digitalization also lead to an increasing ethical responsibility to design experiences according to the mindfulness principles and avoid designing technology-empowered experiences that can lead to comparison, judgment, competition, and other potentially detrimental applications that can blur mindfulness and misdirect personal growth (Lukoff et al, 2020). Here, it is also important to take into account that the individual relies on technology for accessing his or her senses (Wrede et al, 2023) and the consequences this may have for future practice.…”