Stress in the workplace, along with new employee orientation and coworkers who drink too much at holiday parties, is one of the downsides of working.
Most employees reluctantly accept stress as “part of the job.” Left unattended, though, workplace stress can lead to increased illness and injury.
Dealing with workplace conditions can help alleviate some of the stress, but employees also need ways in which to manage the stress on their own. Yoga is an excellent tool that can be easily implemented in any workplace to help employees relax, focus and improve their overall health.
Various surveys have attempted to measure how much stress people experience on their jobs. The percentage of people who say their job is very or extremely stressful ranges from 26-40%, while one study found that 80% of people experience some stress on the job. Also, about half of the people interviewed indicated that they (or their coworkers) needed help in learning how to deal with stress.
Stress, in limited quantities, is not usually dangerous; our bodies are designed to adapt to these occasional situations. If stress continues for extended periods of time, however, the body remains in “flight-or-flight” mode, with increased heart and breathing rates, tensed muscles and various physiological responses that prepare the person to react to a situation.
Headaches, difficulty sleeping, irritability, stomach issues, and dissatisfaction with the job are all early signs of workplace stress. While these can also have other causes, it is important to look honestly at workplace stress as a possible source of those symptoms. Even more concerning, many diseases have been linked to stress, including cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders.
Many employers already offer yoga to employees, either in the campus gym or in a classroom, but recently, some studies have tried to measure the positive effects of yoga in the workplace. While the number of studies done in the workplace is currently small, they show similar outcomes as seen in other studies of yoga, with improved:
- fitness and flexibility
- ability to focus
- mood and sense of well-being
- energy
- confidence, such as during stressful situations.
Setting up a yoga program in the workplace
Bringing yoga to the workplace can take many forms. It is important to create a program that will benefit the most number of employees. Some possibilities include:
- Holding regular classes in a facility at or near your workplace. The number of students in a class can range from five to thirty. Certainly, larger classes can be done if a room that size is available.
- Incorporating yoga “breaks” into the workday. These 5-10 minute series of poses and breathing exercises can be done in regular work clothes.
- Bringing yoga to your retreats and conferences. These events are a challenge to anyone’s stamina. Making yoga available throughout the day will ensure that participants are energized and focused for all of the meetings and lectures.
Many yoga teachers are available to teach classes on-site. There are several styles of yoga, so be sure to discuss your needs beforehand to ensure that the classes will suit your employees. Teachers often can offer varying styles, from a relaxing practice to more vigorous, fast-paced classes.
Don’t worry, not all yoga will make you sweaty. When I worked at a university, I did many yoga poses in my office while wearing a suit. If you are unsure about the benefits of yoga, let your employees try it out. Chances are, their positive feedback will be well worth your effort.
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Photo: Yoga Advice Center
