2019-08-01_Mindful

Top of Mind

MINDFULNESS
IN TRANSIT
New York’s Metro-
politan Transpor-
tation Authority
offers programs
that teach mindful-
ness, meditation,

and yoga to its

employees across

the transit system,

from bus drivers

and train operators

to office workers,

ticket-takers, and

mechanics. The

programs, run by a

corporate wellness

consulting firm

called the Health

Enhancement

Company, have

been offered for

several years, and

HEC’s president

Donna DeFalco

estimates they’ve

reached 7,

employees so

far. Now, they

are rolling out a

large-scale daily

program geared

toward people

working on transit

vehicles every day,

who face uncom-

mon challenges

and stressors in

their work, such as

isolation from their

bosses and col-

leagues and a lack

of flexibility while

on the job.

WELLNESS IN

THE HOUSE

This spring a pro-

gram with poten-

tial to ease stress

in the nation’s

capitol launched

at the US House

of Representa-

tives. The House

Wellness Center

brings wellness

education and

services—includ-

ing mindfulness—

to members and

staff of the House.

On tap: lunch-

time seminars on

topics including

work–life balance,

sleep essentials,

and gratitude;

assistance with

life-management

issues, such

as childcare; a

newsletter provid-

ing informational

articles, a guide

to resources, and

wellness tips;

and instruction

in mindfulness-

based stress man-

agement, among

other skills.

READY, SET,

MEDITATE!

Started with a wink

and fully aware

of the paradox,

Competitive Medi-

tation looks like

it might actually

become a thing.

Since its creation

in 2018 by a writer

for tech news site

Mashable, the

5-minute medita-

tion showdowns—

during which

two competitors

wear brainwave-

detecting head-

bands that record

your number of

“thoughts” via

weak electrical

impulses—have

led to matches

among video

game creators,

residents of a

meditation center,

and employees

of the leading

mindfulness app,

Calm.

Keep up with the latest in the world of mindfulness.

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