Why workplace wellbeing?
You're investing time and money into hiring the right staff. No doubt they are brought in to be creative and proactive, adaptable and efficient, energised and productive. You've hired people who are alert, people who can see things coming and think on their feet. Clear, concise, on the ball, people who can handle the stress and don't lose their shit in the heat of the moment. You'll be wanting people who can work well together, a bit of healthy competition and people with drive who know how to push limits and get results I'm sure.
So now you have all of these gems how do you maintain all of the above? The creativity, adaptability and energy levels? How do you maintain the clear thinking and the willing to work and impress at the highest level. Do you really want the time and money invested searching for the right candidate to be wasted just a few months down the line from fatigue, stress and anxiety? For several years around the globe well-being in the workplace has been creeping in across the board. A growing realisation of the importance of physical and mental health are coming to the forefront as a means to maintain these high standards and high levels of engagement. The likes of Google, Apple, GM, Nike, New York Police Department, IBM, Microsoft, HBO, Nike, Nexcomm, Intel, AT&T, NYNEX, Forbes, Pepsico, GE, Chase Manhattan, The White House, US Marines all seeing the value in keeping their staff on the game.
So why Yoga?
Yoga increases energy and so reduces fatigue. Men and women sat down for hours at a time immobile. No circulation equals no creativity, fatigue and poor decision making. This increase in blood flow gives us more oxygen to the brain improving cognitive function. Greater creativity, greater concentration & focus giving you greater proactivity in the workplace.
“Yoga at work could be one of the chosen programs to reduce stress levels, and usually requires low investment, with minimal equipment,” said lead study author Laura Maria Puerto Valencia of the Bavarian Health and Food and Safety Authority in Munich, Germany.
Yoga moves you from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system, getting you out of the stress and anxiety reflex - keeping a calm head in a heated situation. Zero stress and anxiety leaves a clear mind for production and more creativity of a productive nature - worry is a waste of imagination and energy!
"The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that U.S. employers lose $70 billion a year due to absenteeism, lost productivity and disability caused by mental distress".
It builds your sense of self, now this may sound like hippy bullshit but bear with me. Knowing who you are builds confidence, it allows you to step up and speak out, prevents you from being pushed around, balances out your ego giving your employee that competitive edge but still knowing when it's best to work as a team for the good of the company rather them themselves. It builds courage and willpower to get the job done under pressure, no more second guessing. Yoga poses encourage the individual to explore edges, test themselves mentally and physically overcoming fear and, again, building confidence.
Specific postural practice not only increases blood flow and circulation to key areas but in doing so also releases muscle tension from unnatural postures which are unhealthy and can cause back pain, neck strain, and shoulder stiffness which cause interruptions to productivity as employees are left feeling lethargic and distracted by discomfort being unable to focus on the tasks at hand.
"an internal assessment by Johnson & Johnson found that the return on their wellness programs have been $2.71 for every dollar spent, resulting in cumulative savings of $250 million on health care costs for the company over the past decade".
Yoga promotes health through the body and the mind. Poor mental health is on the increase, stress is on the increase and obesity is on the increase. Being physically fit isn't enough, being mentally fit isn't enough but if you combine the two it's a win win situation. Health promotes happiness, happiness promotes higher energy levels, higher energy levels promote greater production, greater production boosts confidence and self esteem, greater self esteem gives people a reason to get out of bed in the morning and in turn a reason to show up for you and your company.
"The UK has an estimated loss of 12.5 million working days a year, you can see why employers are looking for ways to manage work-related stress". Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE)
Are we beginning to shift from the 'why' to the 'how?'
How can we implement Yoga into a work environment? Well, being a business owner you know that there are never problems, only solutions!
Group classes - In person or video conference sessions for 30, 45 or 60 minutes. These can be mixed level classes, mixed or single sex and can be a really great way for team building with the option of partner (Acro) yoga for trust development.
Desktop Yoga - Only delivered by YoGeek Yoga! With the wonder of tech, video conferencing Yoga can be streamed/pre-recorded straight to the office desk. Merging this tech with chair Yoga there isn't even a need to get changed and showered. Your staff can go make a coffee come back to the desk and take part in Yoga at their work station, in the office or from home, working through specific poses to release tension through the body and focus techniques to calm the mind while enjoying their morning brew! All as little bite size 20 minute chunks!
Workshops - These can be in person or streamed half day workshops giving breathing techniques, postural tips and focus exercises to take away with them. These can be followed up with reminders at 'low' points in the day to practice/activate these learnt techniques when fatigue and distractions begin to set in keeping them alert and set on the tasks at hand.
You're in the right place to learn more simply drop me an email.
Why is the UK barely mentioned in any statistics?
It seems to me that the UK is behind in making the health of their employees one of their top priorities, aiming for prevention rather than cure. Why not be the trailblazer for employee wellbeing in the UK and start the wellbeing revolution now.
Below are just a few ways introducing yoga can benefit your business:
With a small investment you can watch your employee sickness rate fall to almost zero, saving you money on paid absence.
Alert employees = increased production = profit increase
Happy employees = employee retainment = less time wasted on the recruiting process
With a positive mindset and a can do attitude, employees work better as a team, thereby increasing innovation and creativity.
Resources:
bit.ly/2VrU8RQ Occupational Medicine, online March 14, 2019.
https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/wellness-program