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What does mindfulness mean?

Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness achieved by focusing on the present. Sounds simple enough, right? The problem is that we live in a world full of technological distractions that prevent us from being mindful on a daily basis. Devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets keep us from practicing mindfulness at work and at home.

There are many benefits to practicing mindfulness including increased productivity, reduced stress, improved retention, better focus, and less sick days.

So what's the easiest way to teach mindfulness at work?

At BookPal we believe that any important lesson can be taught by reading a good book. The same goes for mindfulness! In fact, we've rounded up five recommendations to get you started:

1. Mindset by Carol Dweck

Psychologist Carol Dweck knows a thing or two about the mind. Dweck urges readers to be present in our thoughts and focus on a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset, in order to maximize our potential.

2. The Mindfulness Coloring Book by Emma Farrarons

If you didn't already know, we're big fans of adult coloring books. This particular coloring book helps you calm the mind and release stress. We highly recommend trying it out with your staff!

3. Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Help your coworkers and employees discover a simple path for cultivating mindfulness by gifting them this meditation guide. This book speaks to both meditation beginners and longtime practitioners.

4. You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen monk and meditation master, emphasizes the power of mindfulness to transform our lives in the book You Are Here. The book offers a range of simple and effective practices for cultivating mindfulness.

5. 10% Happier by Dan Harris

This is a spiritual book for the non-spiritual. It teaches you how to rein in the anxious voices in your head through the practice of meditation. Using examples from neuroscience to the fringes of America's spiritual scene, this book provides life-changing takeaways.

Summer's winding down. It's time to get back to business!

Visit our Back to Business page to get free resources that will help you and your company perform at your best. From white papers to online courses, everything on the page is designed to set you and your team up for success. The best part is, from now through September, we'll be adding brand new content weekly — make sure you add us to your bookmarks! Click the banner below to access all our business resources:

This post was written by Michelle Drucker, the manager of marketing at BookPal. She is currently reading Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli and Winning Plays by Matt Mayberry.