Have You Ever Noticed How Your Body Responds to the Subtle Rhythms of the Digital Workplace?

Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

I've been reflecting on how our relationship with work has fundamentally shifted. That familiar ping of an incoming messages isn't just a sound – it's become a trigger for our nervous system, a modern-day rustle in the tall grass that puts our ancient fight-or-flight response on standby.

What fascinates me is how our bodies are automatically expected to have,  but haven't adapted to our technology, and why would they? The same physiological responses that kept our ancestors safe from predators now activate when we see an "urgent" request in our inbox.

Observing workplace dynamics, (when I say workplace this is less limited to the office it could be your working day at your kitchen table) I've noticed something profound: we've become fluent in digital communication while simultaneously completely disconnecting and losing touch with our body's own language. Do you body scan? Do you check in ever? I spoke recently about interoception and increasing that awareness of signals from our bodies. Those subtle signs that you are moving into fight flight– a tightening jaw, shallow breathing, tensed shoulders – are trying to tell us something important about our relationship with modern work.

The irony? The more connected we become digitally, the more disconnected we grow from these internal cues.

But there's wealth in this awareness. When we recognise these patterns, we can begin to craft a new way to work. It starts with small moments of presence – feeling our feet on the ground before opening the laptop, taking three conscious breaths between meetings, noticing details in the moment, the play of sun and shadow on our desk (or kitchen table) while responding to emails.

These aren't just wellness ‘tips’. They're ways of staying anchored in an increasingly digital cerebral world.

One practice I find particularly powerful is what I call the "5-4-3-2-1 Reset." When digital/demand overwhelm starts to creep in,I pause and notice five things. What can you see around you? (I have some glass that makes a rainbow on the floor and when the sun comes out I look for it) - then four things you can physically feel (your feet on the ground, the texture of your chair (I’m very into soft tactile textures and l hate being cold so I always have a textured blanket) - three things you can hear (distant conversation, the hum of your computer - two things you can smell (your coffee, perhaps a nearby plant) - one thing you can taste.

This simple practice grounds us in the present, bringing us back into our physical reality. Developing a mindfulness practice will also transform your relationships. Many years ago I worked at Another Film Company, for Tim Marshall, Tim taught me the power of focused presence and attention. It would always take me by surprise. One of the busiest people I knew and if you knocked on his door for advice on something he would stop what he was doing and he would listen intently with full attention. It had a big effect on me and I still remember that feeling of being properly listened to. 

What can you do to anchor into your body during your working day? Not only does it help you but that presence activates those around you, influences their nervous systems and promotes peaceful productivity.

#workplacewellness #digitalage #mindfulness #futureofwork #workplaceculture #wellbeing #theemPOWERbreakfast 

emPOWER offers coaching and workshops exploring these themes. Email athene@theempowerbreakfast.co.uk for details.