Incorporating Mindfulness into Work Events

‘Mindfulness’ is a word that’s increasingly on everybody’s lips, and at this point in time where nothing feels quite certain, it can definitely be a useful tool to have at hand. We’re sure everybody is just about aware of what mindfulness means by now, but if you need a quick refresher, Mindful.org sums it up: Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

This all sounds well and good, but for a lot of us, work can sometimes be the last place we feel this way! So, what can people tasked with planning events for employees (or anyone else for that matter) do to incorporate mindfulness into work events? Penniblack has compiled a list of ideas to hopefully inspire you.

A woman leaning back and reflecting at her desk.

A healthy meal of vegetables, feta, crumb, and flowers.

Food

Food is a huge part of both our personal and professional lives, and what a person eats can play an important role in determining their mindset. Food can evoke a massive variety of emotions and states of mind, and what’s being served at any given event can absolutely impact the overall ‘vibe’.

A recent trend in event planning is to work closely with specialised caterers, food scientists and nutritionists to design bespoke food choices which correspond to the energy that you seek for the event. A more high-energy event necessitating creative thinking from its participants might benefit from a menu of exciting, unique flavours which stimulate and inspire employees, and encourage the flow of ideas.

Alternatively, you might be more inclined to utilise more familiar, homely flavours for a less formal event where you’re looking to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel welcome. Try to incorporate your 5 a day into the menu and ensure there is lots of vibrant natural food colours.

Drink

Leading on from a purely culinary perspective, the drinks you choose to serve can also play a role in promoting mindfulness at your work event. It goes without saying that alcoholic beverages are generally the go-to ‘social lubricant’ for all kinds of work events, but why not throw off the trend and try something different?

An alcohol-free bar with a variety of smoothies, juices and other drinks can promote a more mindful way for people to engage with their surroundings and each other. At PenniBlack we are often asked to incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices into our vibrant cocktails - at the very least, everyone will be glad to avoid the hangover!

Fruit juice and smoothies with fresh fruit.

Teambuilding

Teambuilding has existed as a concept for a while, but in our opinion is still quite underutilised by many companies looking to foster a sense of mindfulness in their work environment! Team-building exercises can take a variety of forms from scavenger hunts to escape rooms, or perhaps an award ceremony to celebrate the amazing achievements of your team, and even throw in some hilarious forfeits along the way! So long as it’s something which encourages your team to work together and get to know each other.

Providing people with a space to get to know each other and solve problems in a non-workplace setting can create strong bonds and foster a sense of familiarity. These benefits ultimately create a space where people feel less overwhelmed and more mindful of themselves in their daily lives!

The Events Team

Remember good moods are contagious, and the feeling of positive teamwork should run from the events company team right through to the guests themselves, so make sure you pick a company that has a positive ethos, a great attitude, flexibility, and a clear vision of what you want to achieve from the offset, ensuring that the pre-event organisation, the day itself and the final touches are completely stress free.

Always check out company reviews to ensure the client experience is high on the list of priorities.

Smiling PenniBlack events team catering for a summer event.

Outdoor tables set for dining by a lakeside.

Choosing a Thoughtful Location

There are plenty of recent studies that have shown a direct link between the beauty of a person’s surroundings and their general mental state, and you can definitely put this into practice when choosing an event location!

People feel more at home, and in touch with themselves and others, when in more ‘natural’ feeling environments, so a few things to look out for when choosing a space might be lots of natural light, classic materials like wood, or perhaps even a primarily outdoor setting! People will appreciate the chance to take in the ambience of a beautiful environment.

Mentorship

In our professional lives, we should all be seeking both personal growth, and growth in the workplace, but it doesn’t always feel like this is what’s coming first. We all know that other things can get in the way, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and perhaps a little bit directionless. Mentorship is something that can really help to alleviate this and help us make a step in the right direction. A newfound goal, and a sense of focus on that goal can help in many other ways, not least that this newly focused energy leaves a lot more room to invite mindfulness into the workplace.

A great way to introduce some mentorship principles into your workplace would be through a life-coaching day, of which there are many offered throughout the UK. These provide employees with someone to listen to them, and offer constructive advice to help them understand how they can better pursue their goals and create a positive environment, both internally and for others around them.

Why not chat to us to discuss how we can create a truly mindful, bespoke, and creative event for your team?