OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV)
In a time when the lines between your home life and work are more blurred than ever, you may be feeling mentally checked out. But studies show that staying present throughout the day can increase both your mental health and your productivity.
Amy McCae, who specializes in corporate wellness, says coming out of a year like 2020, many people are seeing that this detached way of working isn’t sustainable.
“Emotional intelligence has been the soft skill that’s been overlooked,” McCase said. “I think 2020 has brought it to light. That now it’s what matters.”
McCae works with companies to foster emotional intelligence and add more mindfulness in the workplace which can in turn make employees more productive and happier.
One company, Aetna, which added meditation and yoga classes for workers, found that employees saw a 28% decrease in stress levels and gained an average of 62 minutes of more productive work per week.
McCae says you don’t have to set aside a lot of time to practice mindfulness. Being present between tasks or on breaks can go a long ways.
“What would your day look like if you took two minutes before you checked your phone in the morning and did something like pay attention to your breath,” McCae said. “It can be that simple.”
And for those working from home, she says setting specific times and places in your home to work can help you be more present after hours.
“Just because your home and you can work from home- you have work hours and that’s it,” McCae said.
