If you want to motivate your workforce, and maximise the economic recovery, Irish businesses need to start looking after the health and wellbeing of their workforce, according to world leader Deepak Chopra. Last year, the Irish workforce reported a loss of more than 11 million days lost through absenteeism. Chopra argues that by maintaining the health and wellbeing of workers, the positive impact on the workforce will see an increase in productivity. Speaking at the Pendulum Summit at Dublin’s Convention Centre, Mr.Chopra addressed the mental health of the country, saying Irish people have a new understanding of the importance of mindfulness in the workplace: “I find Irish people particularly responsive to the holistic understanding of wellbeing. This is an opportunity at this moment to take a little time for reflection, to ask yourself who am I, what do I want and what’s my higher purpose. “And if you have integrity, authenticity, if you have a higher calling and take responsibility for your future, you have infinite potential.” Founder of the Pendulum Summit, which gathers the greatest minds in a series of talks for inspiring good health, and former rugby star Frankie Sheehan added: “If you can build yourself from the inside out, you will be a better person. Your life will be a lot easier.  That’s what we are trying to achieve here.  We are trying to work on those raw materials.” For more ways to help you look after your mental health, check out our guide for six ways to keepsafe your wellbeing in 2015.