Mindful Work for Employees: A Mindfulness Training Program Based on MBSR

This program is specifically designed for employees of the University of Mannheim and can be attended as part of the workplace wellness program during working hours.

“I really liked how the course was structured—combining instruction on the method with practical exercises and reflection on my own situation. Suzan’s calm, mindful manner also made each session feel harmonious.”
— Participant, 2024

“Overall, the course was very inspiring. During every single session, I felt relaxed and was able to learn something new. The open dialogue with the other participants helped create a foundation of trust that allowed me to feel comfortable participating in the exercises.”
— Teresa Ortega, participant 2025

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Dates: Every Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – November 3, 2016, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (8 sessions, 1.5 hours each)

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What is mindfulness? Mindfulness means directing attention to the present moment and consciously perceiving one’s own experience. This enables us to avoid reacting automatically, even in stressful situations, and instead to act freely and with self-determination. Mindfulness is a skill we all possess—but we often lose touch with it. With a little practice, mindfulness techniques can be learned and integrated into everyday life.

What are the benefits of mindfulness training? The numerous positive effects of a regular mindfulness practice have been scientifically proven. Mindfulness helps you react more calmly in stressful situations and better regulate your emotions. It enables you to approach your professional and personal daily life with greater inner peace and clarity. This not only increases your own well-being but also benefits those around you.

How does the Mindful Work course work? Over the course of eight weekly 90-minute sessions, participants learn practical mindfulness exercises and gain knowledge about stress theories. The techniques practiced can be applied immediately in both personal and professional life. Group discussion and reflection provide support and reinforce what has been learned.

A regular mindfulness practice brings about lasting, positive changes in our brain structures. Therefore, participants are encouraged to practice regularly on their own during the course, using both the provided audio guides and the reflection exercises in the course handbook.

Who is this training suitable for? This training is suitable for employees who would like to learn to deal with professional and personal challenges in a more relaxed manner. Mindfulness is not merely a relaxation exercise, but primarily a form of mental training. The course can certainly be challenging, and that is precisely what makes it effective. No prior knowledge is required for the course.

The Mindful Work course is not a substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, but it can usefully complement such treatment upon consultation.

Trainer: Suzan Wolf is a psychologist (M.Sc.) and a certified teacher of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction). She studied psychology in Mannheim and Exeter and specializes in mindfulness. After working in management consulting in the field of team and leadership development, she turned her calling into a career in 2020. She now works as an independent mindfulness trainer, supporting both individuals and companies. In her training sessions, she draws on key methods and models from psychology and neuroscience, which she conveys and applies in a calm and clear manner.

Important:

• To register, you’ll need a free SportsCard for University of Mannheim employees. You can obtain the required password from Department V (Mr. Dalkidis or Mr. Barchet). If you encounter any difficulties during registration, please contact Charlotte Werner (charlotte-sophie.werner@uni-mannheim.de)
• The workshop will take place at the Institute of Sports in L10, 11-12, 4th floor, Room 410.
• It is possible to participate in the sessions online via Zoom by prior arrangement. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the course coordinator directly (kontakt@suzan-wolf.de). You will receive the Zoom link in advance via email.
• Participants who wish to take the course a second time may register as usual. If the maximum number of participants is exceeded, priority will be given to those who have not yet participated.
• As things currently stand, this course offering constitutes a Category 2 benefit-in-kind provided by the employer that must be reported to the State Office for Pay and Pensions (LBV). The reportable costs for this course range from a minimum of €22.50 to a maximum of €90.00 (Category 2). The LBV determines whether the course is actually subject to tax. We therefore ask that you direct any questions directly to the responsible LBV administrator.

This offer is currently only available in German.