The benefits of implementing a wellness programme at work have been well documented. If you’re trying to choose between joining your colleagues for a session at the gym or crashing home after work, it’s simple to see why the latter can be tempting.
There are multiple reasons to resist the temptation: working out increases your productivity, keeps your energy level high, and helps with managing stress and avoiding burnout.
As it turns out, there are reasons you should be making the sweatier (but healthier!) choice. In a recent study conducted by scientists over at the Society of Occupational Medicine, participants (all employees of the National Health Service in England) practiced the ancient art of yoga for eight weeks, and the results were recorded with a six-month follow up.
Out of a total of 151 participants, only two sick days were taken (as opposed to the usual 43!), indicating the eight-week programme to be an incredibly cost-effective one.
Though this study looked at the effects of specific ailments such as back pain (which NHS staff members, who are often on their feet a lot, tend to be susceptible to), the shocking shift in figures goes to show just how effective implementing a daily routine can be to our personal and professional lives.
According to one study by the British Health Foundation, indirect and hidden costs can cause employers to spend the equivalent of about 9% of their annual costs on absence.
This may seem like a relatively small fraction, but considering the fact the average employee only takes about six sick days off in a year, it’s a substantial one. Participating in wellness programmes doesn’t just leave you feeling more productive, but it also saves your organisation on costs.
