And, yet, the work life of those employees was and still is increasingly stressful due to layoffs, increased workloads, longer hours and increased technology, which enables and often encourages people to work around the clock. It is more and more difficult for people to set boundaries around work, family and leisure time. In fact, surveys show that people want more balanced lives and are willing to forego promotions and salary increases to that end. As the person in charge of Human Resources there, I found this paradox quite interesting especially because the company wanted to hire the best and brightest and rewarded increased workaholism . One such find is the labyrinth.
Many people think of mazes when they hear the word labyrinth.
Mazes are meant to disorient and confuse us with multiple paths, dead ends, tricks and high walls. They are puzzles to be figured out, hence activating the left-brain. Currently many spiritual and secular settings are using them as walking meditation tools for personal and spiritual growth. How they work is a mystery, although it has been shown physiologically that they balance the body s fluidic system as well as the right and left sides of the brain. Most people who walk them or use finger labyrinths report a sense of calm and peace making them a wonderful tool for stress reduction.