Face-to-face meditation vs. apps: which is better for your team?
“Why shouldn’t I just provide my employees with access to a meditation app?”
We love this question.
The simple answer is that an app does not provide what all human beings want more than anything else: face-to-face connection (just ask Brené Brown). Whether in-person or on a Zoom call, positive workplace relationships are a key factor in not only well-being at work but also job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Offering employees the opportunity to attend live classes on how to practice the benefits of meditation in the workplace is a strategic way to achieve these business accelerators.
We admit that there are benefits to meditation apps—they’re cost-effective and scalable, with a variety of on-demand content. They’re accessible and can often offer personalized recommendations based on user preferences and progress.
Yet at the same time, a meditation app is, well… just another app that distracts us from the present moment. Another push notification, another software that gamifies your utilization, another library with so much content that it can be overwhelming to select a track.
Not to mention that common feedback that we hear from organizations that provide meditation apps is low adoption rates and/or inconsistent utilization. Employees tend to use the app once or twice and never log in again.
At this point, organization leaders may be back at the drawing board on how to encourage mindfulness across their organization’s ways of working.
While apps have capitalized on the fact that organizations do not know how to evaluate businesses that offer live corporate meditation and mindfulness classes, we believe that leaders should still make the effort to do so because the most impactful way to teach your team how to meditate is through face-to-face classes.
Here are three reasons why corporate meditation classes are better than apps:
Human connection in an increasingly isolated workplace:
Studies by HBR and SHRM highlight the positive impact of social connections on mental health (and job satisfaction), underscoring the benefits of any face-to-face L&D training or well-being-focused class. Compared to an app, the sense of human connection and the energy shared in a live class can be deeply motivating and beneficial for mental well-being. This aspect is often missing in the solitary practice of using an app.
Team accountability to learn a transformative, yet simple, tool for well-being:
Whether your team members already have a meditation practice or are trying it for the first time, regularly attending a live class encourages a consistent practice. The structure and accountability provided by a scheduled class encourage team members to show up, even on days when it’s challenging to find the motivation on their own. It also serves as a fun break during the workday!
Personalized guidance on how to apply the benefits of meditation at work:
Experienced instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and intuition that can enhance the depth and effectiveness of a meditation session. Apps may offer high-quality and high-volume content, but they can't replicate the nuanced expertise of a live instructor. In face-to-face classes, beginners can ask questions and get immediate answers from the instructor, helping attendees understand the benefits and variety of meditation techniques. For experienced meditators, they may have an opportunity to practice meditating in a new environment (i.e., at work!) as well as share their own experiences in how they leverage the benefits of meditation throughout their workday.
What’s the takeaway?
We strongly believe that the face-to-face model has the most significant ROI, particularly when educational classes are followed up by consistent weekly or bi-weekly meditations to encourage the practice of mindfulness throughout the workday.
Ultimately, while meditation apps offer cost-effective and accessible benefits, they fall short in fostering the deep human connections that are crucial for workplace well-being and productivity. Live meditation classes, whether in-person or remote, provide the invaluable human connection, accountability, and personalized guidance that apps simply can't replicate. By investing in face-to-face meditation programs, organizations can achieve a more meaningful and impactful return on investment, enhancing both individual and team well-being.