Meditation and Mindfulness: Two Concepts That Are More Accessible Than You Think

As humans have evolved, our idea of wellness has drastically shifted. The Western world largely relies on modern medicine but is embracing botanical remedies, somatic exercises, and other Eastern concepts. Worldwide, people are becoming interested in addressing the emotional side of well-being rather than solely using one treatment path. This transition into holistic wellness is transforming how people feel and what the world considers ‘healthy’.

The mind-body connection is intertwined, as shown by research, and other findings suggest that mental health and well-being affect daily cognition, and the physical body. Modern employees have a unique opportunity to access services that can deeply transform their lives personally and professionally. Meditation and mindfulness classes are accessible even in some of the places you wouldn’t expect. According to a 2023 study, 61% of employers are planning to provide onsite yoga or meditation. This figure sat at 22% the previous year, significantly rising for several reasons. Meditation and mindfulness have been a highly profitable industry for many years with some players having contributed to the strides taken to make wellness corporate, but the pandemic was the catalyst for it to remain common in workplaces.

Research has shown that mindfulness and meditation can have a highly positive impact on mental health and well-being when practiced consistently. However, a Harvard Business Review article delves into some of the ways corporate wellness is getting things wrong, and this is where Molly Woodhull, the founder of Woodhull Wellness relates.

Both HBR and Woodhull Wellness believe that asking individuals to follow the same routine with the same tools is not only conformist, but it can be counterproductive for their professional success, in fact, these practices can be personalized to individual needs. The HBR study highlighted that while meditation did help some employees be more helpful and considerate of clients or coworkers, the type of meditation used and the time mindfulness was practiced affected the outcome. For example, breath-based meditation was great for enhancing cognitive processing, but not very helpful for encouraging people to empathize with others. For this reason, HBR recommends companies also consider loving-kindness meditations as part of their core offerings. Additionally, they suggest ‘targeted mindfulness’ or utilizing practical tools to initiate calm during stressful moments rather than having a set routine. This approach can truly unlock the power of mindfulness and meditation, and therefore the power of the modern workforce. Woodhull Wellness has been embracing this way of thinking since 2017, through client testimonials and corporate experience Molly can attest to HBR’s findings.

As the founder of Woodhull Wellness, a provider of accessible corporate and individual wellness programs, Molly is an expert in the field. Before founding her business in 2017, she had spent years helping others practice meditation and mindfulness. Molly’s insight about corporate wellness is unique because she views these practices in an alternative light.

“Meditation and mindfulness are often seen as fluffy, abstract practices that may or may not bring value to your life,” Molly Woodhull says. “However, science has proven that there are real benefits. By taking these highly impactful tools into the workplace–the place where humans spend the most time, we can have a massive impact on our world. The way we feel at work changes how we feel in our everyday lives, and if we can create healthier work environments and employees, all facets of society will be rewarded for these changes.”

Molly’s perspective is made to have a positive impact on the triple bottom line: people, profit, and the planet. Her distinct approach to meditation and mindfulness work was deeply influenced by personal health challenges and her connection to nature. Even before she became a wellness entrepreneur, Molly was always passionate about the idea of health. She cared for her grandmother as a young child, learning about her wellness routine and how alternative medicines could provide support. In high school, Molly contracted Lyme disease and fought to regain her physical strength. Throughout the process, she formally discovered meditation and mindfulness. These practices enabled her to build a strong sense of mental and emotional fortitude that prepared her to handle any health-related setbacks.

“I like to say that I found meditation in the middle of the Canadian wilderness,” Molly shares. “Since I was about nine years old, I relied on nature to feel calm. As I got older and eventually contracted Lyme’s disease I learned about awe, which describes how humans find peace in the physical world by feeling small next to grand landscapes. This helps us put our worries into context and see that we are a small piece of a giant ecosystem. Awe is something I infuse into all of my programs because it is something we can cultivate within ourselves when nature isn’t always around.”

As Woodhull Wellness has honed its realistic self-care practices, Molly plans to continue speaking about the financial benefits of wellness in the workplace. She is currently a board member of YPO’s Colorado chapter, a leadership community of entrepreneurs and changemakers. Molly’s role at the organization has enabled her to continue evolving Woodhull Wellness programs to accommodate all businesses and learners. It has also strengthened her knowledge of how to integrate mindfulness and meditation–something that people are learning to embrace–into work environments.