These practical applications also extend to those in leadership positions, as managers can play a pivotal role in alleviating stress by minimizing the threatening aspects of work tasks, she says.
“If managers can find a way to diminish the threatening aspects of job tasks, perhaps through highlighting the positive outcomes associated with the tasks, supporting employees in the sense that they are allowed to make mistakes and don't need to feel threatened by the work, managers could directly diminish the threatening aspect of the work tasks. So, this would also decrease stress,” she said.
Does mindfulness work in high-stress environments?
While some studies may focus on physiological indicators, Toniolo-Barrios's research underscores the psychological benefits of mindfulness. She draws parallels with studies involving university students facing exams, where mindfulness correlated with reduced threat appraisal. Additionally, other research aligns with her findings, demonstrating the positive impact of mindfulness on challenge appraisal and negative effect reduction, she said.
However, a University of Buffalo study suggests that mindfulness provides little or no benefit when individuals are coping with active stressors. Measurements of cardiovascular activity suggest that people who practice mindfulness continue to “sweat the small stuff” during periods of stress, and the study suggests that mindfulness may offer other benefits, but helping people remain calm and composed during stressful events is not one of them.
Pat Armstrong, research professor of sociology at York University, questions the practice of mindfulness for those in certain professions like long-term care, particularly when there are larger stressors at hand. In these high-pressure environments, employees may not have time to sit and conduct mindfulness practices, she said.
