M08: Restorative Programming – Above Green

(1 point)

INTENT

Support access to programs that promote restoration and relief from mental fatigue or stress.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to develop ongoing programming for occupants that is focused on restoration and relaxation, such as mindfulness meditation or mindful movement.

ISSUE

Workplace stress is incredibly common. In the EU, an estimated 1 in 3 workers, more than 40 million people, experience work-related stress. Exposure to stressful work conditions is associated with poor mental and physical health. Highly stressed employees are at risk for numerous negative outcomes, including decreased productivity, greater absenteeism, increased occupational injury, and higher overall medical expenditures.

SOLUTIONS

Meditation includes a number of practices in which the individual works to calm the mind in order to garner benefit or achieve inner peace or harmony. While the scientific literature lacks consensus on the definition of meditation, it generally implies a form of mental training that requires either stilling or emptying the mind. Introducing mindfulness into the workplace has been shown to lower employee stress, as well as improve focus, clarity of thinking, decision-making and emotional intelligence. For example, meditation interventions targeting workers have been found to be effective at reducing work-associated stress, depression and anxiety among full-time Australian workers. Mindfulness training also reduced burnout, mood disturbances and stress among health care providers and showed improvements in mood and sleep quality among teachers. A recent systematic review concluded that mindfulness meditation reduced negative dimensions of psychological stress, including improving anxiety, depression, pain, stress and overall mental health. There are numerous types of mindfulness training. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, a widely disseminated and frequently used practice, has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, and enhance self-esteem, body image, mood and coping with other health problems, such as chronic pain, fatigue, stress and insomnia.

IMPACT

Mindfulness-based practices, whether formal or informal, can help improve employee focus and productivity, support stress management and reduce employer costs through improvements to overall health and well-being.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Provide Restorative Programming (1 point)

Verified by Policy Document

For All Spaces

At least two of the following programs focused on relaxation and restoration, such as mindfulness meditation or mindful movement (e.g., yoga, tai chi), are offered to all eligible employees at no cost or subsidized by at least 50%:

Training courses (e.g., eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course) offered in-person, on-site, in a quiet and calm space and scheduled during a convenient time based on the average employee schedule (e.g., after work, during lunch). The training course must be offered at least twice a year.
On-going programming (e.g., guided mediation, yoga) offered in-person, on-site, in a quiet and calm space and scheduled during a convenient time based on average employee schedule (e.g., after work, during lunch). Programming must be offered at least once a week.
On-going digital offerings (e.g., guided meditation application). Employees must have unlimited access to at least one digital offering as well as ongoing access to a quiet, calm space within the project to practice.

Note: Trainings, programming and digital offerings must be culturally appropriate and literacy level appropriate.