If we’re being honest—how mindful are we at work? Whether we’re working from home or the office. As we type away or get lost in a sea of open tabs, do we notice our posture? Are we hunched over? Is our jaw clenched? Are our shoulders tense? Becoming aware of these small details can make a real difference in how we feel.
Are we truly present when we’re completing tasks—or is our mind drifting back to that morning meeting? Are we focused on the task at hand—or already anxious about the next one? Are we constantly interrupted by email notifications, urgent messages, and the sense that everything is demanding our attention at once?
Mindfulness has become a buzzword—talked about on TV, by social media influencers, and featured in wellness programs.
But is mindfulness just a trend—or is there something deeper behind it, something that truly deserves our attention?
Well, mindfulness can be a superpower—one we can cultivate and use to face the challenges of the 21st century. It helps us manage everyday stress and navigate the complexity of hyper-connected lives.
So, we ask again: How mindful are we at work?
We didn’t know the answer for sure either—until our colleague Aura Damaschin, Senior RPA Developer with over three years in the company, helped us explore it.
She hosted a mindfulness workshop for colleagues at the Connections headquarters.
“Mindfulness started as a personal passion and gradually became a way of life. This workshop came from a desire to do something meaningful with my colleagues, and also as a response to a previous event celebrating mindfulness, organized by another teammate. For the workshop, I adapted insights from my own research to the specific needs of office work,” Aura shared.
Aura has been part of the Connections team for nearly three years as a Senior RPA Developer, and she also brings with her a strong background and genuine passion for mindfulness practices.
She created a calm and engaging environment where participants learned essential techniques to reduce stress and improve focus.
The workshop offered colleagues the chance to explore their own state of presence and conscious awareness. Mindfulness was described as the space between observation and evaluation—a space where, through practice, we can learn to focus our attention on the experience itself, without judgment or labels.
“It was a beautiful opportunity for me to lead this workshop. My passion for personal development was born out of necessity—as it often is. I struggled with my own emotional states and found them hard to manage, so I began searching for answers, researching, and educating myself on how to work with the mind. Eventually, I discovered a coaching school—The School of Universal Laws, led by Inspired Life and Monica Ion—where I also practiced. Right now, this is a hobby I’m actively developing, and I plan to launch my first online seminar on mindfulness, hopefully by the end of the year,” adds Aura Damaschin.
Our colleagues who took part in the workshop were guided through practical exercises such as slow breathing, observing nearby objects, listening attentively to sounds, and naming categories of items—all designed to cultivate calmness and awareness.
Special attention was given to techniques for improving self-control and emotional regulation, helping participants learn how to use their minds as a tool for growth rather than self-sabotage. They explored how to respond consciously to emotional challenges and how to build resilience to stress and discomfort through mindful detachment.
Aura also invited a kickboxing coach, who showed participants how to protect their spine when working at a desk and how to use proper breathing techniques. The group was guided through simple movements designed to increase awareness of breath, body posture, coordination, and balance.
“Aura’s Mindfulness Workshop was a very enjoyable and helpful experience. I really appreciated the balance between theory and hands-on exercises, which were easy to follow and can be applied in daily life. The open discussions among participants were a great opportunity to learn from each other and connect on a deeper level. I believe the techniques we practiced will definitely help me better manage stress in the future,” said our colleague Ioana, who attended Aura’s workshop.
Another colleague shared:
“Aura’s workshop was my first real encounter with the concept of mindfulness, and I can honestly say it was an excellent introduction! The information was presented clearly and in a well-structured manner, and Aura answered all of our questions patiently. Plus, the physical exercises helped us relax and reset!”