.jpg)
With many people still working from home, staying active and avoiding the trap of a sedentary lifestyle is crucial. You’ve probably heard the saying “sitting is the new smoking”. Consistent physical inactivity is associated with a plethora of health problems. Before COVID, it was easier for people to intentionally incorporate some movement into their daily lives. They could choose to walk or bike to work instead of taking transit. Once they got to work, they could choose to take the stairs up to their office instead of the elevator. And at the end of the work day, they could choose to hit the gym instead of heading for happy hour drinks at the local bar.
But with long-term gym closures and many people no longer commuting or going into the office at all, it’s become a lot more difficult to remain physically active. It’s time for employers to not only encourage regular movement breaks, but to facilitate them. Our suggestion? Virtual yoga classes!
The Health Benefits
Virtual yoga classes are approachable and accessible for everyone. No special equipment is required, and yoga provides the whole team with an opportunity to stretch and move their bodies — something we could all probably do with a little more of these days!
Sitting all day long can cause chronic pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints. Not only does yoga improve flexibility and mobility, but it can help correct bad posture and alleviate tightness from t
hose regions that are most commonly affected by being glued to a desk — the neck, hips, back, and knees.
Looking for an instant mood lift? Yoga supports mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It makes you feel more calm and relaxed. Yoga also improves concentration and creativity, so from an employer’s standpoint, it’s a great way to boost collective brainpower and productivity.
Maintain A Sense Of Community While Working Remote
Hosting a virtual yoga session is a great way to build a sense of community within your organization. Now more than ever, people crave feeling like they’re part of a team — it boosts motivation and accountability during a time when many are feeling disconnected.
Exercising as a team, on the other hand, helps keep you accountable. When you commit to something with a group, you’ll be far more likely to keep that commitment to your teammates. It’s not only you you’ll be letting down if you miss or skip that yoga class. You’ll be breaking your commitment to the entire team. This really does incentivize people to schedule workouts into their calendar and stick to them.
Within your organization, you can also consider starting a Slack or Microsoft Teams chat about yoga or exercise and wellness in general. By creating this sort of internal support group, you’re encouraging your people to connect with, motivate, and inspire each other. You’re fostering a supportive virtual work environment where colleagues can feed off each other’s positive energy and stay engaged.
The Bottom Line
Yoga on its own is great in that it improves both physical and mental health, but when practiced with coworkers, it’s an effective way to create camaraderie, boost team morale, and keep people connected while they continue to work from home.
Contact us to find out more or to book a virtual yoga session for your company!
Comments