Yoga Improves Productivity At Workplace

Yoga practise is increasingly becoming an integral part of an individual’s life thanks to Yoga Day initiative run by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led central government in 2014 and many other initiative taken before the programme. Yoga can benefit by incorporating it into the one’s daily routine. However, when we talk about yoga, it always seems to a free time practice at home or wellness centre hence, not associated with business and workplaces.

If we see closely, yoga can help people in identifying their true potential and in generating new ideas along with increased productivity of a business organisation if it is included in daily work routine in the offices and factories.

According to a report by Mercer Marsh Benefirs (MMB), the cost associated with employer-sponsored medical benefits programme in India has been expected to increase 15 per cent. However, yoga can help reduce this cost.

Whether you are self-employed, a small business owner, or a corporate mogul, both your business and your employees can benefit by incorporating yoga into your wellness programme.

If you do not have one, now is the time to start. Companies that offer yoga and other preventive initiatives can greatly reduce their health insurance premiums and increase their bottom line and witness fall in sick leaves taken by the employees.

Companies – from Indian Railways to companies like Intel, Snapdeal, Jabong, Infosys and Maruti Suzuki – have introduced yoga and pranayama among the workforce to stem the impact of the disease.

Coca-Cola, under its ‘Health Work Policy’, encourages employees to enroll in yoga programmes. It funds 50 per cent of the expenses incurred on memberships and equipment. The policy is applicable for employees as well as their families.

How Yoga Can Help Productivity

1. Working nonstop can create stress. Even just standing up or doing some stretching or physical activity every 30 minutes greatly increases blood circulation. Incorporating simple yoga moves at these times is a great way to avoid fatigue.

2. If you’re suffering from aches, pains or even more serious physical problems, this will affect your productivity. No matter what kind of job you have, if you are constantly thinking about and dealing with ailments, the last thing your mind will focus on is work. Yoga can help relieve even the most severe pain and physical problems, such as those associated with traumatic brain injuries. If it can help in that context, imagine what it can do for regular headaches, carpal tunnel, neck strain, shoulder stiffness, arthritis and many others.

3. Other than physical pain and illness, there is major problem that people are suffering which in turn—is affecting the productivity of them. Mental and emotional stress can cause lakhs of rupees of a person. While stress itself doesn’t always cause people to seek help, it can cause and exacerbate physical ailments and conditions. Yoga’s meditation and breathing exercises help to silence the noise and clear the clutter, letting you be more mindful, alert and focused.

4. As yoga gives you better concentration and focus, it also opens the mind so the creative juices and energy can flow. You can’t think outside of the box when your brain is confined within one. If you feel well physically, mentally and emotionally, your morale will be high. If you are focused and energetic, your positivity will be strong.

5. Healthy, relaxed and focused employees are more productive and cost-effective. Even encouraging employees to take just 10 minutes during the workday to practice some simple yoga stretches or breathing exercises at their desk, in a conference room or outside if possible can help immensely. And offering yoga classes at work or off-site is a low-cost and effective way to achieve happy and productive employees.

Set An Example From The Top

As most of the things work from the top level at workplace, a yoga programme also needs to start with leadership including it as a daily part of a virtual workforce’s routine is a culture change.

If these behaviours are not only practiced by leadership but also encouraged, employees are less likely to feel guilty about taking time out of their day for yoga or meditation.