Meditation at work: it's possible!

Long confined to the spheres of spirituality and personal development, meditation is now making its way into the world of work and into the "morning routine" of many French people. In particular, it is recognized as a stress management and anti-anxiety aid. And while it may have been the preserve of a few, meditation has rapidly come to the fore in 2025, the year in which Mental Health was declared a "Grande Cause Nationale". Practised in the workplace, it is a real necessity in a professional environment often synonymous with pressure, mental overload and chronic stress. So, is meditating in the workplace a utopian dream or a breathtaking reality? Find out why and how to promote meditation in the workplace!

A growing need for well-being in the office

Burn-out, anxiety, musculoskeletal disorders: psychosocial risks have never been as prevalent as they are today, particularly in the workplace. The French Ministry of Health even estimates that nearly 13 million French people, or around one in five, are affected by psychological disorders.

Against this backdrop, companies are looking for new ways to improve their employees' well-being, both inside and outside the workplace. One of these is mindfulness meditation, which stands out for its ease of implementation, low cost and scientifically-proven benefits.

But let's be honest, it's about much more than employee well-being. While this argument is often put forward, it alone cannot explain the considerable growth of this practice in the professional world. In fact, companies see it as a strategic lever, far more powerful than a simple response to stress management or the prevention of psychosocial risks. According to Laura Noval, a researcher at the Rennes School of Business, who spoke to My RH Line, research shows that mindfulness meditation promotes the development of key skills such as empathy and the ability to adopt another's point of view. These so-called emotional skills are now recognized as major determinants of performance at work - sometimes even more so than IQ.

This has been confirmed by studies conducted by Harvard, INSERM and Oxford University: These have shown that a few minutes' meditation a day is enough to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), improve concentration, strengthen empathy and even boost creativity.

How do you go about meditating in the office?

Contrary to popular belief, meditation at work doesn't require scented candles or yoga gear. All you need is a chair, a few minutes' quiet and some conscious breathing. Some companies have already taken the plunge, offering guided sessions on their premises or in their flexible workspaces:

• Guided sessions during lunch breaks or at the start of the day;
• Meditation applications available to employees (Petit Bambou, Headspace...);
• Silent spaces or "disconnection rooms" freely accessible;
• Workshops led by certified instructors.

The key is to offer a simple, voluntary and guilt-free approach. Meditation is not about performance, but about listening to oneself.

Individual and collective benefits

Beyond the personal benefits, meditation has a positive impact on group dynamics. Calmer employees are also more attentive, more cooperative and less prone to conflict. Meditation thus acts as a lever for cohesion and quality of life at work.

Some companies go even further, integrating meditation into their managerial culture. Leaders trained in mindfulness develop a more empathetic, listening posture, fostering a climate of trust and better decision-making.

Bringing meditation into the workplace is not about imposing a new fad. It's about responding to a silent urgency : that of taking care of the human behind the professional. Simple, adaptable and effective, meditation offers a gentle way to (re)find balance, for the benefit of each individual and collective performance.

So yes, meditating at work is not only possible, it's highly recommended.