The Impact of Occupational Health Psychology on Workplace Wellbeing
The Cost of Workplace Stress
Occupational health psychology discusses topics such as workplace wellbeing, stress management, and safety. Job stress costs companies hundreds of billions of dollars each year. This is due to absenteeism, high turnover, reduced productivity, and increased health costs. These four factors motivate companies to investigate how stress can be mitigated in the workplace to save money.
Factors Contributing to Workplace Stress
Many factors can contribute to stress in the workplace, including role demands, information overload, work-life tradeoffs, interpersonal challenges, and evaluation apprehension (Truxillo et al., 2016). These factors can take a toll physiologically, psychologically, and behaviorally on individuals. As the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by 19% among millennials, it is important to discuss the psychological factors and their effects (Truxillo et al., 2016).
The Psychological Effects of Workplace Stress
The long-term psychological effects of workplace stress can be severe (Truxillo et al., 2016). These include:
Depression & Anxiety: A dangerous combination where individuals feel both sad and hopeless while also nervous about the future. This can lead to hesitation in starting or completing tasks, contributing to absenteeism and high turnover.
Rumination: The inability to stop thinking about past events, particularly evaluations or criticisms, which can negatively impact learning and performance.
Burnout: Caused by persistent pressure, particularly among high-achievers who push themselves to get things done. Burnout can result in withdrawal, emotional exhaustion, and even dysfunctional behaviors such as aggression or substance abuse.
The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing Workplace Stress
So, what can be done to improve mental health, prevent depression, rumination, and burnout, and help companies save money? Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and savoring life’s moments as they occur. By focusing on the present rather than worrying about the past or future, individuals can develop deeper connections with others and improve their overall well-being (Birdie, 2015).
Mindfulness and Emotional Wellbeing
A study on emotional well-being examined the effects of mindfulness and relaxation in 225 children aged 5-8 with high anxiety (Birdie, 2015). After twelve 45-minute sessions, the children showed significantly decreased test anxiety and ADHD behaviors, leading to better attention and focus.
Similarly, research on workplace mindfulness found that mindful leaders create environments with lower task-related stress and higher employee focus (Birdie, 2015).
Mindfulness and Decision-Making
Mindfulness also improves decision-making. A study published in Psychological Science explored its effects on the sunk cost fallacy—the tendency to persist in an activity despite disliking it (Birdie, 2015). After just 15 minutes of meditation, participants showed reduced tendencies to fall into this thinking trap, which translates to better time management and efficiency in the workplace.
Mindfulness and Task Performance
Being present in the moment enhances focus and productivity. Mindfulness improves cognitive recognition and focus, helping employees juggle multiple tasks while remaining engaged and upbeat (Birdie, 2015). This leads to higher job performance, better teamwork, and improved customer interactions.
The Growing Adoption of Mindfulness in Organizations
Mindfulness is not an outdated concept. A study by the American Management Association found that:
49% of organizations provide mindfulness-related training or resources.
85% of employees in these organizations reported finding mindfulness beneficial.
Over half of respondents suffered from above-average stress levels, while only 8% had lower-than-average stress levels.
Conclusion: The Business Case for Mindfulness
The ability to live in the moment with greater awareness shapes the moments that follow and, if practiced consistently, leads to a better future and improved quality of life. Mindfulness enhances mental resilience, workplace productivity, and interpersonal relationships—both personally and professionally.
By integrating mindfulness into daily routines, individuals can reduce stress and improve well-being, while companies can save billions of dollars on stress-related occupational health costs. Simply put, a quiet mind can lead to a thriving workplace.
References
Birdie, A. K. (2015). Mindfulness and its role in workplace. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(4), 432–435.
Truxillo, D. M., Bauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2016). Psychology and work: Perspectives on industrial and organizational psychology. Routledge, Taylor, & Francis Group.
