The work can be tedious and stressful, negatively affecting wellness. Therefore, searching for methods to reduce stress and support well-being is necessary. Yoga is a well-known practice that positively affects physical and mental health. When considering the issue of yoga and wellness at work, it is essential to note that it affects the well-being of the employees, retention, and performance, as well as employers dependent on workers’ activity. The idea’s origin can be traced to such trends as increased awareness and interest in holistic wellness and changes in views on the job, emphasizing the balance between life and work. The author’s experience applying yoga has demonstrated that it significantly improves emotional wellness. Before researching the topic, the author of the current paper, knowing about the benefits of yoga, suggested that this practice at work would positively impact wellness, which became the basis of the study.
The problem affects the working population of the country and those who depend on employees in certain areas. In 2016, more than 62% of Americans participated in the labor force (Rodriguez, 2016). Moreover, employees in education, health, social care, and similar areas work with vulnerable populations (Reeves et al., 2022). Consequently, they face stress and fatigue challenges, but their effects on others are more substantial, highlighting the importance of well-being (Reeves et al., 2022). As a result, the problem of wellness at work and ways to maintain it is relevant for the entire population of various ages, cultures, and identities.
Society significantly influenced the issue under study, creating a demand for wellness. For example, COVID-19 has led to social isolation and increased stress, leading to an imbalance in wellness and showing the need for comfort and relaxation (Di Mario et al., 2023). Moreover, Biman et al. (2021) and Di Mario et al. (2023) note that work stress leads to burnout, physical and mental health problems, layoffs, and increased injury risks. Simultaneously, the concept of wellness, the practice of yoga, and their positive effect on productivity have become better known in society (Annavarapu, 2018; Swarbrick & Middleton, 2023). As a result, there was a demand for their incorporation into the population’s working life to reduce stress and its adverse effects.
The problem can be considered and analyzed from the point of view of a general education interdisciplinary lens. From a historical perspective, yoga is an ancient practice and living tradition to maintain health (Biman et al., 2021). It is one of the ancestors of the idea of wellness, which demonstrates the ancient roots of the concept (Global Wellness Institute, 2019). The word ‘wellness’ began to appear in use in the 17th century, and in the 20th century, wellness practices arose in the workplace (Global Wellness Institute, 2019). From a human perspective, yoga provides wellness and is significant for India’s culture (Annavarapu, 2018). However, practices have spread and become known worldwide, allowing people to follow them in pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
From a natural and applied sciences perspective, the issue of yoga for workplace wellness includes physiological and biological effects on the human body and its benefits. Studies prove that yoga at work calms down the mind, enhances health, and improves stability (Biman et al., 2021). Moreover, applying scientific methods, like experiments or longitudinal studies, will help study the topic. Their results will objectively show the effect of yoga by measuring health indicators. Finally, from a social science lens, the issue is crucial for the working population and those whom workers influence since wellness determines the productivity and quality of the services. These two perspectives are the most important to the issue, as they consider its significance and impact following the topic, making the lens choice easy.
Thus, one may suggest a thesis statement to express the topic under study. While the demand for stress-reducing techniques has grown in society, applying natural and applied science and social science lenses, one may suggest that workplace yoga contributes wellness of employees and those affected by their services. Studying the issue will help improve the wellness of the workforce in several dimensions – emotional, occupational, physical, and financial.
References
Annavarapu, S. (2018). Consuming wellness, producing difference: The case of a wellness center in India. Journal of Consumer Culture, 18(3), 414-432. Web.
Biman, S., Maharana, S., Metri, K. G., & Nagaratna, R. (2021). Effects of yoga on stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and the quality of life among employees of diamond industry: A new approach in employee wellness. Work (Reading, Mass.), 70(2), 521–529. Web.
Di Mario, S., Cocchiara, R. A., & La Torre, G. (2023). The use of yoga and mindfulness-based interventions to reduce stress and burnout in healthcare workers: An umbrella review. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 29(1), 29–35.
Global Wellness Institute. (2019). History of wellness. Web.
Reeves, T. J., Dyer, N. L., Borden, S., Dusek, J. A., & Khalsa, S. B. S. (2022). “Making it okay”: professionals in high-stress environments construct their understanding of the impact of a yoga-based retreat designed to build resilience. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 17(1), 1-12. Web.
Rodriguez, H. (2016). Occupational wellness. American Counseling Association. Web.
Swarbrick, M., & Middleton, A. (2023). Yoga practice: The role of nursing in promoting workforce wellness. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 1-3. Web.