Adding Mindfulness to Events

Have you ever considered adding a wellness component to your events? I recently attended the IMEX show in Las Vegas, and they did a great job adding wellness in the form of education sessions and a Well Lounge. The Well Lounge was a technology-free place where attendees could participate in a strengthen-your-day meditation with Holly Duckworth of Leadership Solutions or just relax. 

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment. We have become so accustomed to multitasking that we need to pause and focus on the present moment without judgment. This leads to kindness, compassion, and acceptance. Many of us are used to running around like chickens with our heads cut off, or worse, in a state of autopilot where were are not even aware of our surroundings. Mindfulness allows you to pause, check in with yourself, and become more aware of what's happening in the present moment.

WHY MINDFULNESS AT EVENTS?

But what does this have to do with events? Studies show that events with a wellness component have a higher satisfaction rating from attendees. You can incorporate these innovative approaches to bring wellness to your events that will benefit planners and participants.

Events can be stressful. During the pandemic, people went out less, and as we have transitioned to a "new normal," attending events can cause anxiety in attendees. Mindfulness can help to increase the focus and concentration of event attendees and, at the same time, reduce stress, all of which can lead to a better event. Shannon Bahrke Happe is a three-time Olympian, keynote speaker, and mindfulness coach. She first became interested in mindfulness when she needed to "get in the zone" for her mogul races. Today she realizes it works to help reduce stress at events and allows people to feel at ease. 

HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE MINDFULNESS AT EVENTS?

Since we know mindfulness can reduce stress and improve focus, it makes sense we would want to incorporate this at events. Here are some ideas on how to integrate mindfulness at events.

1. Create a technology-free mindfulness room or area where people can go to relax. 
   
2. Offer chair massages during breaks.
   
3. Start each session with a mindfulness practice. You could lead a one-minute breathing exercise or a longer visualization exercise. 
   
4. Hire a speaker on wellness. You can look on a site like Premier Speakers for mindfulness speakers or find Holly on her website. Shannon recently guided the Alliance of Channel Women in a multi-part mindfulness practice. 
   
5. Offer a morning or afternoon yoga session.
   
6. Add live plants to dining tables to bring the outdoors inside. Or better yet - weather permitting - serve meals and breaks outside.

YOUR JOURNEY

Where are you in your wellness journey? Have you been interested in mindfulness but not sure where to start? You may want to start on the Insight Timer App. There is a great variety to choose from, and Holly has a session called "Mindful Meditation - Awareness of Breath." Breathing exercises are always a great place to start. I encourage you to look at ways to add mindfulness elements to your events. Your attendees will thank you - and you will benefit too! If you are looking for unusually unusual approaches to your next event, reach out to sales@unusuallyunusual.com or call us at (714) 844-1034.