Written by: Kyoko Yamamoto, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Mental illness is a significant issue affecting workplaces throughout Australia, with one in six employees experiencing some kind of difficulty every month.¹ The cost of inaction on mental health in the workplace is also substantial, and Australian businesses lose around $12 billion annually due to decreased productivity, sick leave absence and increased staff turnover.² However, there is some good news! Investing in employee mental health can bring significant returns, with every $1 spent resulting in a $4 return.¹ With such a large return on your investment don't you think it might be time for your business to focus on staff wellbeing?
What are Staff Wellbeing Programs?
Here is a short list of some of the staff well-being programs that your organisation could consider.
Yoga classes
Corporate yoga classes can help employees reduce stress, improve mental health and physical fitness and flexibility as well as increase their energy levels. Yoga poses have a variety of benefits and each pose has different advantages. Hip opener poses, for example, help releases negative emotions since such negative energy tends to be kept in the hip region. Meanwhile, backbend poses open up the chest and stretch the front of the body, therefore increasing blood flow and oxygen throughout the body. These postures help boost energy and alertness. And many yoga poses and stretches help increase flexibility, which can help prevent workplace injuries.
A yoga instructor could come to your office and conduct classes, using a large space such as a meeting room.
Mindfulness classes
Mindfulness classes focus more on awareness, attentiveness and presence techniques in order to create a sense of peace, relaxation and gratitude towards daily life, as well as reduce the negative emotions that employees may experience in their lives and/or workplace. Your employees may feel more content which can lead to positive relations with colleagues and customers. Also, when the brain is in a relaxed alpha state, the mind is more open, so staff may find it easier to find creative solutions.
Stress management workshop
This workshop teaches individuals techniques they can apply to deal with any stress they may be going through. Learning stress management and reduction skills can help employees manage and/or ease their stress and discover a sense of calm. The participants of these workshops can often reduce their stress levels or eliminate them completely by finding different perspectives on issues they are facing and practising more in-depth mindfulness techniques. Reducing stress often helps enhance their empowerment in the workplace.
Group physical activities
Group physical activities are an effective way of promoting employee well-being in the workplace. These activities involve physical exercise done as a group, such as fitness classes, team sports, and walking or running groups. By participating in these activities, employees can improve their physical fitness, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance teamwork and friendship, increase motivation and energy levels, and boost their overall well-being – resulting in a more productive workplace.
The yoga and mindfulness classes and stress management workshops can be held in person or virtually.
What are the benefits of staff wellbeing programs for employers?
There are numerous benefits to your business when your organisation takes part in any of the programs.
1. Lower rates of absenteeism
Regular physical activities, such as yoga and other group activities, can help employees stay physically fit, leading to a stronger immune system, better overall health, and fewer sick days. Mindfulness classes and stress management workshops can help employees improve their mental health by promoting positive thinking and emotional regulation. When employees feel emotionally balanced, they are less likely to experience burnout or other mental health issues that may require them to take time off work. Also, by creating a supportive and positive work environment that values employee well-being, employers can reduce absenteeism rates and foster a healthier and more motivated workforce.
2. Increased productivity
Activities such as mindfulness and yoga can help employees improve their focus and concentration. For example, breathing exercises such as alternate nostril breathing which are often practiced in yoga class and mindfulness class are a straightforward example to improve focus. By breathing properly, fresh oxygen is sent to the brain which results in clearing out fogginess in the head. When employees are more focused, they are better equipped to complete tasks accurately and efficiently, leading to increased productivity. Physical activities including yoga classes and other group sessions can help improve employees' energy levels. This can lead to better engagement in tasks, and increased productivity throughout the day.
3. Enhanced job satisfaction and improved employee turnover
Staff wellbeing activities can help build a stronger sense of community among employees, increasing job satisfaction. When employees feel that they are part of a supportive and inclusive work environment, they are more likely to feel positive about their job and remain committed to the company. Investing in staff wellbeing programs can also lead to improved employee retention. When employees feel that their employer cares about their wellbeing, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term. According to the findings of the PWC’s study of what Australian workers want from their employer, wellbeing is the second attribute after remuneration and reward. ³ Therefore, it is essential to have wellbeing activities at the workplace to foster a low employee turnover. This can reduce the costs associated with staff turnover, such as hiring and training new employees, ultimately improving the company's bottom line.
4. Improved customer service and work relationships
By participating in wellness programs, employees can help improve their mood. Physical activities including yoga release happy hormones within the body, leading to positive emotion and an overall sense of well-being. When employees feel happier and more motivated, they are increasingly likely to facilitate positive interactions with customers and colleagues. Staff well-being programs can also help improve communication among employees, leading to better work relationships. By providing opportunities for employees to interact and collaborate outside their regular work environment, staff well-being programs can help break down communication barriers and foster better team relationships.
Overall, adopting staff well-being programs can have numerous benefits for employers, ranging from improved productivity to enhanced customer and colleague relationships.
Yoga BB is a leading provider of staff well-being activities, including corporate yoga classes, mindfulness classes, and stress management workshops. We have successfully helped numerous businesses across various industries improve their employees' mental and physical health, reduce stress, increase motivation, and enhance their workplace culture.
Contact us today to learn more about our staff well-being activities and how we can help your business achieve its goals.
Kyoko Yamamoto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kyoko Yamamoto is a passionate master life coach and yoga instructor. Her mission is to transform her clients’ and students’ minds into a more positive space. She regularly holds Stress management workshops and Yoga classes.
In order to create transformational results for her clients in such a short period of time, she incorporates the methods of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) into her workshops and classes. NLP is a scientifically proven process of helping rewire your thoughts and behaviours to let you achieve your desired life.
Kyoko moved to Australia from Japan in 2004. She was following her intuition that she would find a better and happier life in Australia. And she found what she was looking for and now enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle and more conducive work-life balance.
Having more than a decade of corporate background working as a certified accountant in Australia and a consultant in Japan, she is passionate to help improve employee wellbeing in the workplace as well as helping individual clients achieve a clearer path to follow. She has worked with clients locally and from around the world through online and face-to-face sessions.
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