Mindfulness program for workers in Japan: online program focused on informal training in the workplace.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1526275 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA six-session online mindfulness program designed for Japanese workers, emphasizing decentering and informal practices that fit into daily routines, improved self-compassion, communication skills, decentering, and wellbeing. Among 80 participants who completed the program, significant gains were observed, while a control group of 134 workers showed no notable changes. The program consisted of 90-minute bi-weekly sessions over three months, incorporating brief meditation and workplace-based exercises. The findings suggest that short, structured mindfulness interventions can yield substantial psychological benefits for busy professionals.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Japanese workers |
| Intervention | Online mindfulness program |
| Duration | 3 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health program Stress-management Worker Brief mindfulness Practical mindfulness training |
| Key finding | Participants in the online mindfulness program showed significant improvements in self-compassion, communication skills, decentering, and wellbeing, while the control group showed no notable changes. |
Abstract
Mindfulness has gained prominence as an effective tool for managing stress and preventing depression. However, many workers in Japan find it challenging to commit to lengthy mindfulness sessions. This study addressed this issue by developing a six-session online mindfulness program tailored to Japanese workers, which emphasizes decentering (the ability to view thoughts and emotions as separate and transient) and informal mindfulness practices that can be easily incorporated into daily work routines. The program was designed to improve mental wellbeing, self-compassion, communication skills, and decentering abilities. A total of 80 participants who completed the program were compared with a control group of 134 workers who did not receive the intervention. The program comprised 90 min bi-weekly sessions held over 3 months. It incorporated brief meditation exercises and informal mindfulness practices based on actual workplace scenarios. Participants in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in self-compassion, communication skills, decentering, and wellbeing. Conversely, the control group showed no notable changes. These findings suggest that even short, structured mindfulness interventions can lead to substantial psychological benefits when tailored to the realities of a busy professional life.