Yoga is more than physical. It is cellular, mental, intellectual and spiritual – it involves man in his entire being. BKS Iyengar
You've probably heard by now that yoga is good for you. Maybe you've even tried it and discovered that it makes you feel better. A consistent practice offers all kinds of mental and physical health benefits. Some, like improved flexibility, are clearly evident. Others, including mental clarity and stress reduction, may be more subtle but are just as powerful. Hence the reason more and more workplaces and introducing yoga.
Working long hours, often hunched over a computer, skipping lunch, having a phone glued to your ear and rarely leaving your workspace for a break. These work habits eventually take a toll on our bodies and minds in the form of stress, tension and sickness. While a mild amount of stress can help meet deadlines, too much stress or constant stress can interfere with numerous physical and mental abilities.
The statistics that follow clearly indicate that work-related stress and illness have a huge impact on all business.
Health and safety statistics – Health & Safety Executive
Key figures for Great Britain (2015/16)
1.3 million working people suffering from a work-related illness
30.4 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
£14.1 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2014/15)
Work related stress, anxiety and depression statistics in Great Britain 2016
The latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show:
The total number of cases of work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2015/16 was 488,000 cases, a prevalence rate of 1510 per 100,000 workers.
The total number of working days lost due to this condition in 2015/16 was 11.7 million days. This equated to an average of 23.9 days lost per case.
In 2015/16 stress accounted for 37% of all work related ill health cases and 45% of all working days lost due to ill health.
Stress is more prevalent in public service industries.
By occupation, jobs that are common across public service industries (such as healthcare workers; teaching professionals; business, media and public service professionals) show higher levels of stress as compared to all jobs.
The main work factors cited by respondents as causing work related stress, depression or anxiety (LFS) were workload pressures, including tight deadlines and too much responsibility and a lack of managerial support
Recent research indicates that employers who offer yoga in the workplace have noticed the benefits in their employees and an increase in workplace satisfaction.
Yoga in the workplace can be adapted using desk and chair along with simple physical stretching and breathing techniques, which can be practiced anytime bring about the following benefits
Happy and Healthy Employees
Reduced stress related sickness
Improved concentration and ability to multi task
Improved alertness and ability to react calmly in demanding situations
Relief from head, neck and back strain
Better Customer Service
Enhanced employee attitude and outlook
Reduced employee turnover
Investing in the body and state of mind of your employees is the best investment you can make this year.