Event Managers: Here’s Why You Should Add Meditation to Your Next Event
Running an event can be stressful, especially when the stakes are high, and you want to ensure everyone walks out feeling like they have had a great time and grown in their own unique way.
To add to that, you want to bring something new to the table. There’s nothing like knowing that people gleefully shared an eye-opening experience from your event with their friends.
One trend that's gaining traction is incorporating meditation into events. Whether it's a corporate retreat, a conference, or a team-building workshop, meditation can offer a variety of benefits that could enhance your guests’ overall experience.
How? Well, where do I begin! In the context of events, where attendees are often bombarded with information and activities, meditation serves as a refreshing pause, allowing participants to reset and recharge. This not only enhances their overall experience but also improves their ability to absorb and retain information. From our experience this has a remarkable effect in that it transforms the atmosphere, creating a more relaxed and focused environment for attendees to network more effectively.
So here’s how we know meditation can bring more value to your corporate event, be it training sessions, meetings, or team-building activities.
Quick gratitude recharge talks are a very popular addition to conferences
Enhances Focus and Productivity: Meditation helps in sharpening focus and boosting productivity. A short mindfulness session can help attendees clear their minds, making them more attentive and engaged. With less clutter in the minds and a greater willingness to engage, your guests will make the most of their time for longer.
Reduces Stress: Corporate environments can be stressful. Introducing meditation can help alleviate anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Promotes Creativity and Innovation: Meditation encourages a clear and open mind, which can lead to enhanced creativity and innovative thinking. This is particularly beneficial during brainstorming sessions or problem-solving workshops.
Improves Team Dynamics: Group meditation sessions can encourage team cohesion and empathy among colleagues, encouraging a more collaborative and supportive work environment. From our experience of running corporate wellness programs with big brands, these workshops allow employees to bond over a shared experience and may even give them an additional thing to talk about.
The advantages of adding mindfulness sessions to a conference are remarkable in so many ways and will give you a clear edge over your competitors. Conferences are usually packed with back-to-back sessions, networking events, and social activities. Adding mindfulness sessions to the agenda can offer so many advantages such as increased engagement, better information retention, spike in dopamine, and positive feedback (which we always welcome!).
So how do you introduce meditation to an event?
Truth is, introducing meditation to your event doesn’t have to be complicated. And if you hire a trusted corporate meditation company to facilitate these sessions, the experience is pretty much seamless. But here are some practical steps on how to integrate mindfulness sessions:
Start Small: Begin with short, five-minute meditation sessions. This makes it accessible and less intimidating for attendees who are new to meditation.
Hire a Professional: Consider bringing in a professional meditation facilitator who can guide the sessions and address any questions. On top of ensuring the quality is premium, it guarantees the session is effective and well-received.
Integrate into the Schedule: Schedule meditation breaks strategically throughout the event. For example, a short session before a keynote speech or after a particularly intensive workshop can be very effective.
Create a Calm Environment: Make sure that the meditation space is quiet and comfortable. Simple touches like soft lighting and comfortable seating can make a big difference.
Promote the Benefits: Communicate the benefits of meditation to attendees before the event. Providing information on how meditation can enhance their experience will encourage participation.
Offer Flexibility: Make participation optional and offer different types of mindfulness practices, such as guided meditations, mindful breathing exercises, or even mindful eating sessions (mindful chocolate tasting is a personal favourite of mine!). This accommodates different preferences and comfort levels.
For more information on how you can create a holistic event experience your delegates will never forget, explore our Employee Wellness Programs or fill out the form below with your needs and we will get back to you with a quote and ideas on how we can bring a touch of mindfulness to your event.
Believe me, your attendees (and their minds) will thank you!