Meditation is a method employed by many in the workforce to unlock creativity and enhance productivity. From Oprah to Russell Simmons, many successful individuals have taken up the practice. Often times, people experience a boost in creative output or spiritual realization, which can help the main direction of workflow. Being able to destress and clear the mind is an effective way of becoming more productive.

Below are a few ways that meditation can help you today.

Productivity

Meditation, or other focused based exercises train the brain to be more focused with less distraction. Being able to sit still for half an hour and just concentrate can be freeing and cross over to the work environment. When we sit down to write emails or work on a document, we are able to concentrate more on the task at hand. Meditation is the simplest way to train your brain to go harder for longer.

Less Stress

Meditation helps us leave the past behind and focus on the present. Meditation can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and help the body use oxygen more efficiently . Breathing exercises slow the heart rate and even help us get better sleep. Better sleep can help us have a clear mind in the mornings. Waking up feeling refreshed helps to prevent disease, work burnout and even hypertension. It allows us to be less judgmental about our decisions, allowing the doors to creativity to be more open.

Creativity

If you have ideas for a project but are unsure where to start, or what direction to go, try meditating to clear your mind. Legal Sea Foods CEO Roger Berkowitz says that sometimes he is “wrestling with an issue before meditation, and afterward the answer is suddenly clear.” Your brain, not your computer or phone is your greatest computing device. Being able to have focus, clarity, and insight are important in the creative process.

Meditation improves patience and focus, which help productivity greatly, while it also improves clarity and insight which are applicable to creativity. Conducting various breathing exercises, along with focused based exercises is a great way to dive into meditation.