Reasons You Should Invest In Yoga For Employees

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Reasons You Should Invest in
Yoga for Employees 1
CULTURE, NEWS & OPINIONS RESOURCES STRESS YOGA MARCH 20, 2014
59SHARES
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Would you believe me if I tell you that, companies lose more money due to lack of employee
productivity than due to any other factors? Do you know that 71% of US workers consider their workplace
a significant source of stress? And almost 51% of Americans report believe that job stress is the biggest
contributor of loss of productivity[1]. 1
As funny as it may sound, a recent survey conducted by Academic and Business Research
Institute revealed that people are in US are so stressed that almost 79% have accepted stress as a part
and fact of their work lives[2]. Doesn’t sound too fair, right?
The stats clearly indicate that, stress might be the next epidemic. Giving out so much control to stress is

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Contents [show]
wrong. But, this is what is happening people!
And companies, even after compensating for all kinds of medical issues and vacations, are still losing shit
loads of money just because their employees are stressed on a regular basis. Its a chain reaction, you see.
Running short on time? Read this “15 second” infographic!
Stress – The New Epidemic
Stress manifests itself in many forms which can be segregated mainly under three
heads:[2]
1. 48% of all people surveyed reported lack of sleep or wakefulness
2. 43% fell under irregular appetite, meaning either loss of appetite or stressful binge.
3. Majority, almost 77% reported constant headache and body aches
Too much of stats, eh?
What the Employer loses
An employee under stress will suffer from a reduced attention span and working memory, due to

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deteriorating health and would ultimatelly be left frustrated. This would affect not only his relationships but
energy levels also.
Now, let’s look at how a stressed employee affects his/her employer:
1. Loss in productivity
2. Decreased motivation
3. Reduced job satisfaction
4. Increased absenteeism
5. Higher number of bad decisions
What an Organization loses
The effect, as we know, finally trickles down, manifolded, on the organization. Its either in form of lower
profits or higher cost per employee. Another study found out that health-related work losses are estimated
to cost US employers more than $260 billion each year. And I am not adding to your worry but, this is
excluding the direct medical compensation.
When a company, on average spends almost $29.18 per hour on each of its employee, losing this huge
sum over work stress, does not sound very intelligent[3].

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So, how do we break this cycle?
It may sound repetitive though, but Yoga IS THE ANSWER. Let’s see how a yogic intervention can help
you increase profits by making your employees more productive. Did I mention the results are pretty
quick?!
1. Lack of sleep or wakefulness
50-70 million US adults have reported problems falling asleep or nocturnal awakenings[4].
How Yoga helps turn insomnia to fresh energy:
When yoga participants were compared to the non yoga group, it was observed that, participants of
Bikram Yoga reported decreased nocturnal awakenings and feeling of freshness in morning after only a 14
day practice[5].
2. Irregular appetite
35% US adults are obese and, approximately 70% suffer from lifestyle induced metabolic disorders[6].
How Yoga helps restore balance:

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When practiced regularly for six months, a research concluded that, yoga balances metabolic system
(BMR reduced to by 13%) with its stimulatory and inhibitory practices. This implies, with only little lifestyle
modification, people could regulate their appetite as well as emotional distress[7].
3. Headache and body aches
90% of US citizens suffer from one or other kind of headache or body ache[8].
How Yoga helps relax:
Therapeutic and relaxing practices of yoga also include Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
A study in this context reported 31% decrease in medical symptoms, a 31% decrease in psychological
distress and 17% decrease in ‘daily hassles’[9].
How many days of Yoga?
You hit the cause, you solve the problem.
Besides, if you have been following our posts, you must be knowing that exercising, especially ones like

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yoga, give you more energy.
1 session can maintain metabolism up to 48 hours. This implies, 3 days a week is enough to keep
you fresh and brimming with energy all through the week.[10]
Final question: How many hours of yoga does
one need?
A couch potato study found out that having a desk job (sedentary lifestyle) is equivalent to smoking. A 52%
higher risk of heart failure![11]
According to scientists, 150 mins of physical activity per week is sufficient to keep one’s heart healthy.
When split it 3 days a week, it gives you 50 mins of yoga, every alternate day.
Simple, right?!
This brings us to results
1. After a 20-minute session of Hatha yoga, participants’ speed and accuracy was tested for brain’s
ability to maintain focus and take in, retain and use new information. A significant improvement was
found in brain function[12]. Memory, attention, cognition – check!

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2. When participants chanted Om for just 10 minutes, a synergistic effect was observed on the vital
systems i.e. heartbeat, breathing, brain waves, etc. along with reduction in stress indicators[13].
Frustration – gone!
3. After a year long practice of Iyengar yoga for 90 minutes weekly, participants reported significant
reduction in negative attitude and mood swings. The study also found back bends to be more effective
than rest[14]. Positive attitude – done!
4. A group of healthy, untrained volunteers when practiced yoga for around an year (2-3 times a week
for an hour) reported improved muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina[15]. Finally, health and energy
– sky rocketed!
Reminding you once again, health-related work losses cost US employers more than $260 billion each
year. So, you can see how much you’ll save with little investment in a yoga session at office. And you do
realize, dollars saved are dollars earned. Don’t you?!
Also Read:
1. 7 Symptoms of Stress You May Have Missed
2. Exercise Gives More Energy – Why?
3. Couch Potato Alert! Sitting is The New Smoking

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References
[1] Harris Interactive Inc., Public Affairs and Policy. Stress in America Atlanta Repo
rt (pdf). The American Psychological Association^Back to Top^
[2] Mason Fries. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for the Changing Work (pdf). Envir
onment Journal of Academic and Business Ethics. National University.^Back to Top^
[3] Mitchell RJ, Bates P. Measuring health-related productivity loss. Popul Health Man
ag. 2011 Apr;14(2):93-8. doi: 10.1089/pop.2010.0014. Epub 2010 Nov 23. PubMed PMID: 21
091370; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3128441.^Back to Top^
[4] Wallace DM, Ramos AR, Rundek T. Sleep disorders and stroke. Int J Stroke. 2012 Apr
;7(3):231-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2011.00760.x. Epub 2012 Feb 15. Review. PubMed
PMID: 22336145; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3387919.^Back to Top^
[5] Kudesia RS, Bianchi MT. Decreased nocturnal awakenings in young adults performing
bikram yoga: a low-constraint home sleep monitoring study. ISRN Neurol. 2012;2012:1537
45. doi: 10.5402/2012/153745. Epub 2012 Apr 12. PubMed PMID: 22577578; PubMed Central
PMCID: PMC3345216.^Back to Top^
[6] Obesity Information - Heart.org^Back to Top^
[7] Chaya MS, Kurpad AV, Nagendra HR, Nagarathna R. The effect of long term combined y
oga practice on the basal metabolic rate of healthy adults. BMC Complement Altern Med.
2006 Aug 31;6:28. PubMed PMID: 16945127; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1564415.^Back to Top^
[8] Headaches - University of Minnesota^Back to Top^

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[9] Shian-Ling Keng, Moria J. Smoski, Clive J. Robins. Effects of mindfulness on psych
ological health: A review of empirical studies. Department of Psychology and Neuroscie
nce, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States. DDepartment of Psychiatry and B
ehavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States ht
tp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006^Back to Top^
[10] Ray US, Sinha B, Tomer OS, Pathak A, Dasgupta T, Selvamurthy W. Aerobic capacity
& perceived exertion after practice of Hatha yogic exercises. Indian J Med Res. 2001 D
ec;114:215-21. PubMed PMID: 1204076^Back to Top^
[11] Young DR, Reynolds K, Sidell M, Brar S, Ghai NR, Sternfeld B, Jacobsen SJ, Slezak
JM, Caan B, Quinn VP. Effects of physical activity and sedentary time on the risk of
heart failure. Circ Heart Fail. 2014 Jan;7(1):21-7. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.113.
000529. PubMed PMID: 24449810.^Back to Top^
[12] Gothe N, Pontefex MB, Hillman C, McAuley E. The Acute Effects of Yoga on Executiv
e Function. Journal of Physical Activity & Health^Back to Top^
[13] Ajay Anil Gurjar , Siddharth A. Ladhake, Ajay P. Thakare. Analysis Of Acoustic of
“OM” Chant To Study It’s Effect on Nervous System (pdf). Sipna’s College of Engineeri
ng & Technology, Amravati (Maharashtra), India^Back to Top^
[14] David Shapiro, Karen Cline. Mood Changes Associated with Iyengar Yoga Practices:
A Pilot Study (pdf). International Journal of Yoga Therapy.^Back to Top^
[15] Ray US, Mukhopadhyaya S, Purkayastha SS, Asnani V, Tomer OS, Prashad R, Thakur L,
Selvamurthy W. Effect of yogic exercises on physical and mental health of young fello
wship course trainees. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2001 Jan;45(1):37-53. PubMed PMID:
11211570.^Back to Top^

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Mansi Goel
I'm Mansi, a yoga practitioner, big-time foodie, hopelessly optimistic and a keen observer
of human mind. I agree with Albert Schweitzer on "Happiness being nothing more than
good health & a bad memory". I cover trends in yoga, fitness and workouts.
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