Art-of-living at work: interventions to reduce stress and increase well-being

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2021-0121
• Published date: 23 December 2022
• Date: 23 December 2022
• Pages: 89-107
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Healthcare management,HR & organizational behaviour,Human resource policy,Employee welfare
• Author: Mira Schwarz,Franziska Feldmann,Bernhard Schmitz

Art-of-living at work:

interventions to reduce stress

and increase well-being

Mira Schwarz, Franziska Feldmann and Bernhard Schmitz

Institute of Psychology, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany

Abstract

Purpose –Due to the increasing burden of stress in the workplace, it is necessary to develop

interventions to prevent long-term overload. The present study is based on the concept of art-of-living,

which promotes a more reflective and conscious approachtolife.Instudy1,anonline training designed to

increase well-being was administered. Study 2 investigated the impact of an art-of-living trainingin a

workplace environment.

Design/methodology/approach –Study 1 employed a two-factorial design, crossing time of testing

(pre-test, post-test and follow-up-test) with group (three experimental groups; one control group); 67

participants received art-of-living training on their individualweaknesses and/or strengths or alternative

control training. Study 2 used repeated measures and a waiting-list control group; 20 employees of a

pharmaceutical company took part in the two-day intervention with a two-week learning phase in

between.

Findings –The results of Study 1 ind icated that even brief o nline art-of-living int erventions can be effe ctive.

Significant differen ces between pre-, post- and follow- up-tests were observed in art-o f-living and well-being

scores among participants who had undergone training in art-of-living components identified as

representing their strengths or a combination of their strengths and their weaknesses. The results of

Study 2 also indicated po sitive outcomes in the experimental group , with significant inc reases between

pre- and post-test in ar t-of-living, flourishing, posit ive affect and occupational self-e fficacy, and significant

decreases in negativ e affect.

Originality/value –The results demonstrate that art-of-living training can be used to increase art-of-living,

well-being and occupational self-efficacy. Therefore, this type of intervention should attract further attention in

future studies especially in the context of the workplace.

Keywords Happiness, Well-being, Art-of-living, Intervention design

Paper type Research paper

For most people, an important goal in life is to achieve higher levels of well-being. Previous

studies have indicated that happiness can lead to many other desirable life outcomes, such as

health, marriage and career success (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005). Additionally, in the context of

work, interest in increasing the well-being of employees has grown in recent years (Cvenkel,

2020, p. V). On average, people spend a quarter of their adult lives at work, and for many,

work is an essential pursuit in life. Feeling good at work is therefore an important component

of an individuals’overall well-being. However, given the backdrop of diminishing job

security, economic pressure and the merging of work and private life through digitalisation,

work is also reported to be a significant source of stress (APA, 2017).

Positive psychology is one area of research that can counteract these developments.

Focusing solely on symptoms of problems is not sufficient to achieve life satisfaction and

well-being. In this context, optimism, hope, physical activity and social skills can have

positive effects on stress, physical as well as mental illness (Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi,

2000). Increasingly, preventive interventions have been developed (Seligman and

Csikszentmihalyi, 2000) also with applications in occupational and organisational

psychology.

We propose that one way to enhance well-being is through the adoption of art-of-living

strategies.

Art-of-living

at work

89

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

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Received 21 June 2021

Revised 15 June 2022

18 September 2022

28 November 2022

2 December 2022

Accepted 5 December 2022

InternationalJournal of Workplace

Health Management

Vol. 16 No. 1, 2023

pp. 89-107

© Emerald Publishing Limited

1753-8351

DOI 10.1108/IJWHM-05-2021-0121

Art-of-living: a new approach to increase well-being

Art-of-living is defined as “all paths leading to well-being”(Schmitz et al., 2022, p. 2). The term

art-of-living was introduced by Veenhoven (2003), who argued for the importance of

distinguishing paths to happiness from the possible results of following these paths,

i.e. well-being (Veenhoven, 2003). Our concept of art-of-living is based on Schmid’s (1998)

philosophical theory of art-of-living: “Art-of-living is not meant as the easy, happy-go-lucky

life but conscious, reflected conduct of life”(Schmid, 2004, p. 9).

Components of the art-of-living

Our model extends Schmid’s (1998) approach as it integrates five categories of art-of-living

components: the self, the body, the mind, the soul and the context (Table 1).

Self-care. Self-care is related to the psychological construct of having adopted an

authentic, self-determined way of living. Sub-components of self-care include a

self-determined way of living and self-knowledge, which is fundamental to an individual’s

ability to lead a self-determined life.

Body-related strategies. This category combines the concept of savouring (i.e. pursuing

things one enjoys) with the importance of taking physical care (e.g. good nutrition and

continuous exercise) of one’s body.

Cognitive strategies. Apositive attitude towards life is one cognitive strategy and is very

similar to optimism, but differs to the extent that optimism relates specifically to future

events, whereas a positive attitude relates to the past, present and future. Self-reflection

includes thinking about oneself and enacting the consequences of one’s own behaviour.

Meaning has three facets: importance of life, purpose in life and life making sense (Martela

and Steger, 2016).

Motivational and emotional components. Optimisation can be seen as a particular

motivational strategy involving the setting and pursuit of goals (Locke and Latham, 2002).

As an emotional component, serenity relates to keeping calm even in complex situations.

Dealing with context. Coping as a reaction to events is conceptualised as the ability to

deal with stressful demands that may exceed the capacity of an individual’s resources

(Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Although the individual is at the centre of the art-of-living

concept, the social environment around them is also relevant (i.e. social contacts).

Categories Subconstruct Example item

Basic/Self Self-determined way of

living

I take responsibility for my own life

Self-knowledge Imake an effort to identify my personal strengths

Body related Bodily care I take care of my body

Savouring I fully enjoy what life has to offer

Cognitive Meaning I make clear to myself what my purpose in life is

Positive attitude towards

life

Even in uncertain times, I usually expect the best

Reflection I am often confused about the way I really feel

Motivational/

Emotional

Optimization I consistently pursue the goals I set for my life

Serenity I stay calm even in difficult situations

Dealing with context Social contacts I make an effort to stay in touch with my friends and

acquaintances

Coping To solve a problem, I look at it from different angles

Table 1.

Components of the

art-of-living

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