Yoga in the workplace for health and well being or for a work life balance is an effective way to combat stress. Employee health & well being and health promotion are essential for any organisation. There is ever increasing evidence that workplace health promotion can positively affect employee health resulting in cost savings, higher productivity and higher levels of employee engagement.
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 number of new cases was 224,000, an incidence rate of 690 per 100,000 workers. The estimated number and rate have remained broadly flat for more than a decade.
– 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. Working days lost per worker showed a generally downward trend up to around 2009/10; since then the rate has been broadly flat.
– 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, such as education; health and social care; and public administration and defence.
– 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”
For more information please see
http://www.hse.gov.uk/
Yoga can help to reduce the harm from repetitive stress injuries or postural imbalances that occur from long periods of sitting at a desk and/or computer or even prolonged and regular driving between sites. There are many benefits including:
- Increased flexibility
- Improved joint health including ligaments and tendons
- Increased muscle tone, core strength and body posture
- Improved postural awareness
- Management of chronic conditions – can help reduce risk factors
- Improved sleep (and can help people suffering from insomnia)
- Mental calmness
For employers
Are you keen to offer your employees the benefits of a work – life balance?
Are you looking for something different for a team away day? Or for team building? Perhaps you already offer ‘well being’ days. Include yoga, your employees will love it.
Promote health and well being in the workplace via yoga –
- Lower stress levels
- Fewer staff sick days
- Lower health care costs
- Improved morale
- Greater self-esteem
- Greater concentration and work focus
- Increased productivity and performance
- Greater staff retention
- Enhanced employee motivation
- Give a sense of value to employees
- Higher job satisfaction amongst employees
- More attractive to potential employees seeking employment at your Company
The sessions will ideally take place at your organisation. I am willing to travel around Lancashire. You will need a large empty room for up to 12 people. Studio equipment will be provided. Price on application.
For your client base
Alternatively, you may offer weekly yoga sessions to your customers or clients. This may be an opportunity to increase exercise and integrate your clients into the community.
Previous clients
Places for People, Preston x4 yoga sessions Wellbeing week November 2020
Kaltz Ltd, Bolton Weekly session October 2018 stopped March 2020 due to COVID – 19
Places for People, Preston Weekly session Summer 2019
Places for People, Preston 6 week pilot for Group September 2018
Guide Security Services, Darwen August 2016 – March 2017 weekly session
HMRC Staff Mental Health and Well-being Day, Presentation on Benefits of Yoga, Reiki and Relaxation, December 2016
HMP Kirkham, x2 staff taster sessions, Health and Well Being Month, October 2016
Our Lady and St John High School, Blackburn (March 2016) taster session
Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust – Royal Preston Hospital (February – August 2015) weekly session
Pear Tree School (Preston) 2013 – Weekly yoga sessions to pupils with severe physical and learning disabilities
