Featuring the insights and expertise of Sonia Sharma-Patry, Workplace Wellness Coach
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected work environments, burnout is no longer a buzzword—it’s a reality for many Canadian employees. With rising rates of stress, emotional fatigue, and disengagement, organizations are under increasing pressure to prioritize psychological safety, emotional well-being, and preventative mental health strategies.
At Global Mindful Solutions (GMS), we believe that wellness isn’t an add-on—it’s foundational to a healthy, high-functioning workplace. One of our team members, Sonia Sharma-Patry, brings a unique perspective to this space—merging over 30 years of experience in the federal public service with her deep knowledge of holistic health practices rooted in yoga, Ayurveda, and mindfulness.
Beyond Programs: Addressing the Root Cause of Burnout
Sonia’s approach begins with a simple truth: most workplace conflict and disengagement are symptoms—not causes. “When we’re overworked, under-nourished, and emotionally dysregulated, we react instead of respond,” she explains. “We see more friction, more conflict, and less capacity for empathy.”
Instead of reactive solutions, Sonia focuses on the root cause—emotional depletion, disconnection from purpose, and a lack of daily self-regulation practices. Drawing on ancient principles of Ayurveda (the science of life) and modern workplace psychology, she helps employees and leaders alike develop tools to prevent burnout before it starts.
From conscious eating to emotional check-ins, her sessions are rooted in practical micro-habits that fit into the rhythm of daily work life—especially for hybrid and remote teams where stress often goes unnoticed.
Bridging Wellness and Strategy in the Canadian Context
Sonia’s public service background gives her a keen understanding of how large Canadian institutions operate—and how wellness can be integrated into even the most structured environments. During her time at the Canada Revenue Agency, she led national wellness initiatives, brought weekly mindfulness sessions to thousands of employees, and helped shape a culture shift toward whole-person leadership.
Today at GMS, she supports Canadian organizations—federal departments, provincial bodies, and nonprofits—through:
- Burnout prevention coaching (individual and group)
- Psycho-social wellness sessions tailored to organizational realities
- Workplace wellness strategy for long-term, systemic change
- Workshops on food, lifestyle, emotional regulation, and self-leadership
Her sessions are disarming, empowering, and deeply human—creating space for reflection, emotional safety, and renewed energy.
Wellness as Conflict Prevention
One of Sonia’s most powerful insights is that wellness is a form of conflict prevention. By helping individuals regulate themselves, reconnect to purpose, and develop healthier interpersonal habits, teams can address tension before it escalates.
“If we’re going to talk about psychological safety, we can’t ignore the body,” she notes. “We carry stress physically. We react from our nervous systems. Teaching people to breathe, pause, and nourish themselves is not a luxury—it’s a leadership tool.”
Her work complements GMS’s mediation and workplace restoration services by focusing upstream—on the habits, mindsets, and systems that create resilient, respectful, and productive teams.
Bringing It All Together: A Human-Centred Workplace
At Global Mindful Solutions, we understand that creating a healthy workplace isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about cultivating environments where people thrive.
Sonia’s work reminds us that transformation starts from within. Her three guiding values—inspiration, joy, and courage—are the bedrock of her approach, and they ripple outward through every session, strategy, and conversation she leads.
Because when people are well, work works better.
Ready to Transform Your Workplace?
If your team is experiencing signs of burnout, disconnection, or stress, let’s talk. Whether it’s one-on-one coaching, group wellness sessions, or a customized strategy for your organization, Sonia and the GMS team are here to help.
613-869-9130 | info@globalmindfulsolutions.com
343 Preston Street, Suite 1100, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1N4
Related articles:
- Understanding Secondary Traumatic Stress in the Workplace
- Benefits of Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
- Mindfulness in Canadian Government Workplaces
- The Mental Toll of Workplaace Conflict and How to Recover
- The Key Elements of Any Successful Organizational Culture
- Nurturing Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing During the Return to Office Mandates
