World Feeling Upside Down? Inversion Yoga Poses Can Help

Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the demands of work and home life? It’s no secret that our daily routines can take a toll on our mental and physical health, leaving us feeling drained and depleted. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution that can help turn your world right-side up again: inversion yoga.

Inversion Yoga Benefits Us Everywhere We Go

What is inversion yoga, you may ask? It’s a practice that involves going into inverted postures such as headstands, handstands, and shoulder stands. These poses offer many health benefits, including improved blood circulation, boosted immunity, and reduced stress and anxiety.

 

But did you know that practicing inversion yoga poses on your work breaks can also enhance your productivity and improve your overall well-being? Here are some advantages of incorporating inversion yoga into your workday routine:

Improves Blood Circulation

Inversion poses reverse the effect of gravity on your body, allowing blood to flow in the opposite direction. This increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain can enhance cognitive function, memory retention and recall, and sharpen your focus and concentration. You’ll feel more alert and attentive after practicing inversion yoga.

Boosts Immunity

Inversion yoga can stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for eliminating waste and toxins from the body. When your lymphatic system is working efficiently, your body is better equipped to fight off infections and diseases.

Relieves Stress & Anxiety

Inversion yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety levels by calming the nervous system. When you’re upside down, your heart rate slows down, and your breathing becomes deeper and more controlled. This relaxation response triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters that help combat stress and anxiety.

Improves Posture & Spinal Health

Sitting at a desk for extended periods can cause tension and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and back. Inversion yoga can help alleviate these issues by decompressing the spine, reducing pressure on the discs, and improving overall posture. As a result, you’ll experience less pain and discomfort, and you’ll be able to sit and stand more comfortably.

Inversion Yoga Poses For Beginners (And Everyone Else)

In addition to health benefits, inversion yoga is fun!  Here are a few simple poses that beginners can try:

BRIDGE POSE

To enter the bridge pose, lie on the back with knees bent and hands and feet on the mat. Lift the lower back off the ground as high as possible and hold for 10 seconds to one minute. Don’t forget to breathe! To exit the bridge pose, lower the back to the floor.

FORWARD FOLD POSE

To enter the forward fold pose, stand straight and slightly bend forward at the hip. Let the crown of your head hang down and allow your arms to fall to the ground until you can touch the floor. Keep your weight in your heels. To exit the forward fold pose, slowly rise back to an upright position.

DOWNWARD FACING DOG

To enter the downward facing dog position, get down on all fours. Place your hands shoulder-width apart, with your shoulders above your wrist. Gently lift your knees and tuck your toes against the mat, extending your legs. To exit the downward facing dog, shift into a plank by lowering your hips and drawing your shoulders forward over your wrists.

 

Practicing inversion yoga on your work breaks is an excellent way to recharge your mind and body and enhance your productivity. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve posture, or boost your immune function, inversion yoga has something to offer. So why not give it a try? Your body and mind will thank you!

Bring Peace To Your Day & Get Upside Down!

Having the opportunity to step away from your computer and engage in simple inversion techniques will give you more energy, make you more productive, and foster a more harmonious work environment. Contact Body Techniques to discuss having a corporate yoga event with one of our experts.

Coping Strategies for Dealing with Workplace Burnout

Coping Strategies for Dealing with Workplace Burnout

Workplace burnout is a pervasive issue that affects employees across all industries and sectors. Burnout can arise from a variety of factors, including heavy workloads, long hours, and stressful work environments. When left unchecked, burnout can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and an endless void of physical and mental health problems.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Today, employers have more resources than ever before to help manage stress levels around the office. Read on to explore coping strategies for dealing with workplace burnout, particularly through workplace massage and the benefits it brings. By incorporating these coping mechanisms into the workday, you can help your team improve overall well being, as well as maintain job satisfaction and performance!

Recognizing the Signs of Workplace Burnout

Just like any other issue, the first step in addressing workplace burnout is recognizing it exists. This means understanding the signs and symptoms.

Burnout can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Physical symptoms can include exhaustion, headaches, and muscle tension, while emotional symptoms can include feelings of cynicism and detachment from work, as well as reduced job satisfaction. Cognitive symptoms can include difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and impaired decision-making abilities.

By recognizing these signs early on, you can take steps to prevent burnout from becoming increasingly severe. If you’re unsure of how to gauge how employees are feeling, try sending out an internal form where they can anonymously give feedback or – at the very least – rate their stress levels and workloads to start the conversation.

How to Help Employees Avoid Burnout

The signs of workplace burnout may seem obvious, but helping employees cope is another story. There are a variety of coping strategies that can be effective in managing burnout.

  • Self-care. These strategies can include taking breaks throughout the workday, engaging in stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation, and getting enough sleep and exercise.
  • Time management. Try setting realistic goals and prioritizing tasks to prevent feeling overwhelmed by a heavy workload.
  • Seeking support. Be it colleagues or supervisors, or both; encourage your team to reach out for help with specific tasks or projects, or to discuss the sources of stress and workload concerns.

These coping strategies can be used in combination to help manage and reduce workplace burnout. The key is to remember that each employee is different and thus, has different needs. This is where having a custom stress management program can be helpful to ensure everyone is set up for success, specifically one that includes workplace massage.

Incorporating Workplace Massage as a Coping Strategy

One of the most effective coping strategies for dealing with burnout is workplace massage (aka corporate massage). Workplace massage is a form of massage therapy that is offered in the office during business hours, usually in a chair or table set up specifically for massage. This type of massage typically focuses on the upper body, such as the neck, shoulders, back, and arms, and can be done with or without the use of massage oils or lotions. Workplace massage can be a practical way to reduce muscle tension and stress, improve circulation, and boost mood and productivity. Incorporating workplace massage into the workday can also help create a more relaxed and positive work environment, which can contribute to better overall job satisfaction and performance!

Hear from our massage therapists and learn how to prepare your office for a workplace massage event.

Other Workplace Strategies to Help Employees Thrive

While massage is a great tool to reduce employee burnout, there are many ways to stay ahead here! Flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or hybrid scheduling, can give employees greater control over their work and personal lives, which reduces stress and burnout. Stress-reducing activities, such as employer-sponsored virtual exercise programs or taking mental health breaks to walk outside, can also help prevent burnout by promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time can also help prevent employees from feeling overwhelmed by their workload and responsibilities. By combining workplace massage with other effective strategies, employees can take a more holistic approach to managing and preventing workplace burnout.

Custom Stress Management Programs Curb Workplace Burnout

Employers have a responsibility to create a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. By understanding the signs of workplace burnout and taking steps to prevent and manage it, businesses can sustain a more productive and positive workplace. One effective strategy that could be implemented is a stress management program featuring workplace massage. By offering massage therapy to their employees, employers can promote physical and mental wellbeing, reduce stress and burnout, and improve job satisfaction and performance!

If you’re an employer looking to build your own stress management program, consider incorporating workplace massage as a key component. Your employees will thank you for it. Body Techniques partners with brands across the country to create healthy work environments. Start building your own program today!

Make Your Employee Appreciation Event Centered On Wellness

employee appreciation event ideas

Nothing has changed more in the modern workforce than telework. Now, every company leads with their in-office, hybrid, or remote options and off-campus options continue to grow. With so many office work options comes the trouble of keeping a positive work culture, including employee recognition. Even before the rise of remote and hybrid jobs, making employees feel appreciated was a struggle. In a recent study, over 1 in 4 employees in the workforce haven’t received recognition for good work in over a year.

As the job market widens, an appreciative workplace culture is essential to keep your employees enjoying their work and their life outside of the day-to-day grind. Work-life balance is key! If your employees are spending most of their week working, wouldn’t you want to make your company a supportive work environment? Every person starting their shift brings the stresses and complications of their life. Recognition for good work is the easiest way to bring an optimistic perspective back to your company, and with Employee Recognition Day on March 3rd, these upcoming weeks are a great time to start! With corporate wellness programs like our Employee Appreciation Events, your company can relax and improve their wellbeing together, no matter the office setup.

Virtual & In-Person Wellness Programs

Understanding the nuances of your workplace layout will help determine the right wellness program for your employees. In-office or hybrid work models should utilize their office space to host in-person events, while remote companies can successfully show gratitude for employees through virtual wellness programs.

Corporate Massage

Whether they know it or not, many of your employees are carrying their everyday stress in their bodies; think muscle tension and tightness. Long days at a desk can bring stiffness to the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, and hands.

Corporate massages allow your team to feel cared for through physical stress relief without ever leaving your office! Our group of skilled therapists offers convenient in-office mobile massage treatments. Not only will you be improving corporate health, you’ll be lowering everyday workplace stress and showing you see every employee’s hard work.

Virtual Wellness

Use your Employee Appreciation Event for remote team health with a virtual wellness class! In virtual wellness, your remote or hybrid employees can join a virtual class session in a variety of training programs, such as:

     

      • Fitness

      • Yoga

      • Stretching

      • Meditation

    Most virtual wellness events are designed with beginner experience levels in mind. This makes every program tailored to each employee’s needs. As mental health and wellbeing buzz continues to grow louder in the corporate world, employers must step up to the plate and find ways to not only show they care about their team, but also put their health first.
    In remote and hybrid work environments, physical and mental health can suffer and lead to hindering performance metrics. Our Employee Appreciation Event package includes a virtual wellness program option to include your off-campus team in whatever events you plan.

    Book Your Employee Appreciation Event

    Body Techniques specializes in workplace stress management. Our team is here to help you build a custom Employee Appreciation Event that fits the needs of your team – no matter where they clock in for the day! What better way to kick off the new year than with a workplace culture designed to promote health and wellbeing?!

    Recognize what your employees bring to the table with an Employee Appreciation Event. Start building your program today

    Employee Appreciation Tactics For 2023

    Employee Appreciation Tactics For 2023

    With 2023 comes a wave of new expectations from employers. Decision makers can get ahead with new employee appreciation tactics (hello stress management programs) that motivate staff to do their best work. As the corporate world slowly adopts hybrid work models, finding ways to manage stress levels for remote and in-office staff alike will only improve workplace culture and the attitude employees bring to work everyday.

    Why Show Appreciation In The Workplace?

    Employee recognition is a must if businesses wish to see success in 2023. Before identifying worthwhile ideas to implement, we must first understand how management has evolved over the years. “Old school” managerial styles are rooted in loyalty to the company. For example, success in our professional lives once correlated with success in our personal lives. People lived to work, rather than work to live. Data shows that 66% of people left their job because employee appreciation was next to none. If the last few years have taught us anything it’s that this approach is, not in the least bit, effective. Insert: the fallout of The Great Resignation.  

    Before 2020, many employers failed to recognize that happiness comes from within, not from the positions or titles we hold. People are more than dollar signs and should be treated as such. In order to keep employees engaged and fulfilled in their daily roles, we must provide them with resources and outlets that promote healthy work-life balance practices. By assessing internal processes, businesses can dissect how policies enhance (or hinder) the wellbeing of their staff, customers, and so on. Experience is everything here. Bad experiences lead to quiet quitting, poor performance, and negative energy. Finding new ways to show gratitude for your employees is a giant step towards cultivating a workplace culture that sustains productivity and keeps employees dedicated because they want to contribute, rather than feeling obligated to earn a paycheck.

    Recognizing the hard work people put into your company is the tip of the iceberg. If you want to maintain healthy workplace relationships, it is your responsibility to explore avenues of employee appreciation that support both people and operations. 

    Employee Appreciation Ideas Every Industry Can Benefit From

    Showing employees you value them is priceless. Prioritizing workplace culture in 2023 means you’re doing your part as a leader to help your team succeed and truly love their jobs – all while decreasing turnover!

    2023 corporate massage sessions for employees

    Prepaid Corporate Massage Sessions

    Whether it be monthly or quarterly, introducing company-sponsored corporate massage to your employees boosts morale across the board. This gives everyone something to look forward to and rewards them for their hard work. A benefit to booking your 2023 corporate massage sessions in advance is saving up to 25% on bonus credits when you partner with Body Techniques. We hand select massage therapists (or Certified Massage Practitioners for Canadian clients), that best match your workplace. By prepaying now, you can shift focus towards other business endeavors knowing corporate wellness is already scheduled and ready to go! Not to mention that the savings towards extra in-office massage sessions means more opportunities to help employees unplug for a little while and relax. It’s a win-win for everyone!

    employee appreciation ideas for hybrid work models

    Virtual Wellness Classes For Hybrid Work Models

    You know the saying: health is wealth. With many businesses transitioning to hybrid working models, leaders are challenged to introduce benefits that support those working in-office and/or remotely various days of the week. Virtual wellness classes provide an opportunity to get employees out of their heads and into their bodies to disconnect from daily stresses or big projects they may be working on. Not to mention our catalog of ranges from yoga to self massage and of course online fitness classes! Choosing the right package for your needs is easy with online scheduling, class durations, and series. This is ideal for hybrid work models looking to show extra appreciation for employees because no physical office space is needed on your part. Simply give your team access to the dashboard and they choose classes that work best for them. 

    Plan Ahead & Save On 2023 Employee Appreciation Tactics

    The time is now to get a head start on improving workplace culture in the new year. Healthy employees are happy employees. Ditch the overdone pizza party and show your team you really care with fresh appreciation ideas like corporate massage and/or virtual wellness classes they can take when their schedule allows. You’ll quickly notice the ripple effect of improved morale, productivity, and job satisfaction all from a genuine effort to say “thank you”. 

    Learn more about how you can save up to 25% on bonus massage credits when booking 2023 sessions before December 31!

    A Guide For Canadian Companies On Corporate Massage

    corporate massage services for Canadian companies

    As Canada adapts to life post-Covid, many companies are finding themselves at a crossroads with creating a supportive culture that empowers employees. From Montreal, Quebec to Toronto, Ontario and even all the way to Vancouver, British Columbia – businesses in every industry are looking for new ways to promote wellness best practices.

    One of the most effective ways to show employees you care about their mental health and wellbeing? By equipping them with stress management programs. More specifically, corporate massage. 

    It is with great excitement that we announce Body Techniques now offers onsite corporate massage services for Canadian companies. Read on to learn why offering wellness benefits such as this can keep employees motivated and connected to their careers.

    Why Are Employee Wellness Programs Important? 

    As humans, we’re not meant to be at a desk all day – whether it’s sitting or standing. By having wellness programs accessible to your employees, they can catch the mental break they need to reset and gain some clarity in between projects. The benefits of corporate massage help us manage stress levels that can hinder overall production levels. The goal of implementing wellness programs throughout the workplace is to show employees you care and want them to have a healthy outlook on life and more importantly – their jobs. This reduces turnover rates, increases productivity, and even boosts immune systems to help your employees be the best version of themselves. 

    How To Implement Corporate Massage Into Employee Benefits

    Managing daily business operations is difficult enough without throwing a new benefit into the mix. A core perk of partnering with our Certified Massage Practitioners (CMPs) is that we create custom programs designed to meet the unique needs of your business. We’re working with local CMPs in your area to not only improve your workplace, but the local economy as a whole. When mapping out what your corporate massage program will look like, your contact here at Body Techniques becomes an extension of your own team. Working alongside you to find solutions that make the most sense and helping you implement this fresh wellness program to employees. In other words – we do the heavy lifting so you can focus on the big picture.

    Mental Health Matters

    Mental health has never been a more important topic for business leaders to keep top of mind. Corporate massage plays a bigger role in supporting your employees’ mental health than one may think. Our programs are an effective way to show your team you care about their wellbeing. When employees know you want them to have a healthy work-life balance, morale increases across the board.

    Preparing Your Office For Corporate Massage

    Introducing a one-time or recurring corporate massage event requires a little preparation – not to worry though. Our onboarding process is a breeze. As we already mentioned, your contact here at Body Techniques will help you plan ahead. We’ve seen the best results when employers have a designated space for the CMPs to set up ahead of time. The safety of your staff and ours is always our highest priority. With that being said, our clean wellness policy breaks down our six-point approach to provide a positive, relaxing environment for all. 

    Booking

    When booking your upcoming corporate massage event, keep in mind a minimum of 2-weeks is required to ensure you get the most out of your investment. This gives everyone the breathing room they need to set up an agenda and inform employees of what’s to come.

    Set Employees Up For Success With Corporate Massage

    The idea of adding a new benefit into your benefits package can be daunting. Body Techniques makes it easy to not only introduce corporate massage to employees, but keep them engaged and most importantly – healthy. By hiring the best CMPs throughout Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, your employees can access a stress management outlet that empowers them both on the job and in everyday life. Explore how corporate massage can promote wellness for your own team and contact a local representative today!

    Fun Incentives To Get Employees Excited To Return To The Office

    Fun Incentives To Get Employees Excited To Return To The Office

    There’s never been a more confusing time for business leaders regarding the “right” way to encourage office-based employees to return to work. Some are experimenting with hybrid work models while others are looking for 100% participation in returning to the office.

    The catch? What’s best for one business may not apply to another. This is why companies must expand their horizons and introduce fun incentives and meaningful benefits to get employees back into the office.

    But first, let’s dive into the pros and cons of hybrid versus traditional (5-days/week) work models.

    Hybrid vs. Full Return Work Models

    When COVID-19 had us locked in our homes, we had no choice but to find new norms in every aspect of life: family, friends, school, and work. But now we’ve established new normals, and many business leaders are considering resuming a traditional workweek – or something relatively close. The last few years have been particularly hard to create and maintain workplace culture. Zoom meetings can only go so far, especially when you’re onboarding new employees or introducing fresh policies. As a result, many employers want to entice teams back to the office and provide a space for connection and collaboration.

    Most employees on the other hand have come to know and love working from home, so much in fact that they’re seeking hybrid schedules to continue this take on work-life balance. And who can blame them? This ongoing struggle of not wanting to return to the office, but needing to have a designated space for collaboration has employees and employers seeking common ground to find a win-win solution.

    4 Ways To Get Your Team Excited About Returning To The Office

    It’s ultimately up to business leaders if they want to implement either a hybrid or 100% in-office model. We encourage all leaders to listen to their team and consider the true cost of completely eliminating a hybrid model. If your business allows for it, work towards finding that sweet spot that supports work-life balance through days at home and in the office. With that said, encouraging employees to return to the office has more opportunities than one may think. Morale can be boosted across the board when there’s something to gain for coming to work. If you find yourself at a crossroads, consider these unique ways to get everyone excited about coming into the office.

    Host A Welcome Back Party

    Even workplaces adopting hybrid schedules can benefit from a welcome back party. Hosting this event in your office’s conference or break room is a great way to bring employees together. Send out a poll prior to the event and get a group vote on catering or any games you have planned to break the ice.

    Provide Peace Of Mind With Safety & Cleaning Procedures

    Sanitation and cleanliness is top of mind for most of us nowadays. Make sure employees know they’re in-office working environments are being cleaned with commercial-grade products to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

    Revisit Company Goals & Objectives

    WFH life showed us the majority of meetings can be summarized just fine via email. However, holding a meeting to revisit company goals and objectives should be done in-person. You can use the current climate to draw parallels on how you plan to move your company in the right direction. Most importantly – how your employees and their presence in the office contribute to the bigger picture.

    Expand Your Employee Benefits To Include Wellness Packages

    Many of our clients see major employee participation when they upgrade their benefits package in the form of a return to the office incentive. Incorporating wellness packages that aid stress management are one of the top benefits employees are looking for. Corporate massage is huge when it comes to keeping stress levels at an all time low. It not only gives your team a well deserved break, but communicates that you – their employer – see them as people who deserve benefits that prioritize their mental (and physical) health.

    Implementing corporate massage is a breeze for any kind of office or corporate setting. Our process is designed to work with hybrid, virtual, and complete in-office environments. Never worry about safety, cleanliness, or professionalism. We use the best massage therapists in the country to ensure your experience is one-of-a-kind.

    Help Your Employees Grow With Your Company, Not Against

    Today’s business leaders are finding themselves in uncharted waters. When deciding how to return to the office, keep in mind that there are pros and cons to both hybrid and 100% in-office work models. Should you decide to transition employees back to work, consider welcoming them with a company-sponsored party and use that time to bring them up to speed on new goals/objectives, as well as incentivize new work models with benefit upgrades that promote overall wellness.

    Body Techniques is well-versed in preparing businesses just like yours to come back to the office. Get a customized return to work plan when you schedule a call today.

    5 Ways To Create A Supportive Environment For Working Moms

    5 Ways To Create A Supportive Environment For Working Moms

    Moms truly do it all. On top of being full-time caregivers and teachers, they also have to factor in how to support their children and make ends meet. The pressure COVID-19 added to working moms made it nearly impossible to be fully present at work, home, and in their childrens’ lives.

    If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the time is now to introduce supportive practices that set working moms up for success. Some may argue that we should leave our personal life at the door when we start our work day… And to that we say: there is no clocking in and out as a parent. It’s a full-time, 24/7/365 role that has zero breaks. Because of this, employers must implement progressive benefits to set moms up for success.

    Avoid Burnout With Supportive Employee Benefits

    Factoring in the amount of pressure on working moms already, failure to introduce benefits that help working moms could result in burnout. This doesn’t require you to create a special program specifically for moms only. Think about new perks or incentives that benefit everyone – including working moms. You’ll find that when employees see you’re doing your part to create a healthy work-life balance, morale is higher and productivity levels rise across every department.

    Give Employees Some Breathing Room With Progressive Working Norms

    So, what programs can benefit all employees and give moms some time to catch their breath? How are employers supposed to keep operations humming in a way that keeps everyone sane? It all starts with taking a step back (and a deep breath) to look at the bigger picture:

    Hybrid Work Schedules

    Hybrid work models are quickly becoming an optimal solution to offer employees the work-life balance they need – especially for working moms. Some days are reserved for remote focus work and others are spent in the office to collaborate and move the company forward. This model replaces the corporate norms we once knew and gives us opportunities throughout the day to tune in with our personal lives, be it catching up on some laundry in between tasks or making lunch for the little ones at home.

    Finding a win-win hybrid work schedule gives workers the space they need to put their heads down and knock out tasks, while creating a supportive workplace culture at the same time.

    PTO: Paid Time Off aka Prepare The Others

    Depending on who you ask, PTO can mean a few different things. While universally understood as “paid time off” younger generations like millennials and Gen Z joke that it stands for “prepare the others”.

    And they have a point…

    It’s not so much about what PTO stands for, rather the principle of employees giving proper notice that they will be out of the office and employers should do their part to equip their team for said employee’s absence. This falls into the work-life balance mentioned earlier. Working moms need PTO just as much as the rest of your staff and how they choose to use their PTO is entirely their prerogative. Instead of finding yourself amid the thousands of businesses suffering from the ongoing Great Resignation try implementing a reformed PTO policy and set expectations that make sense with today’s working norms.

    Workplace Amenities For New Moms

    If a hybrid work model isn’t feasible with your operations, consider providing resources at work for new moms. Designating a private lactation room new moms can reserve for 30-minute time slots would go a long way in creating a supportive work environment for new moms on your team.

    Another way to bridge the gap between family and work life is access to childcare. Progressive businesses have found that employer-sponsored childcare has helped not only attract, but retain the best workers out there. Interestingly enough, ​​55% of parents said they would accept a lower salary if childcare were to be offered as an employee benefit.

    Offering workplace amenities like these not only helps working mothers, but shows your entire staff you care about their wellbeing and lives outside of the office.

    Equal Maternity & Paternity Leave

    New dads only get a small fraction of the time off from work that new moms do. And while that’s for a variety of physical reasons that doesn’t mean that paternity leave should be any less than maternity leave. New parents need some time to find their footing in this new chapter of life as they get used to the ebbs and flows of parenting. The benefits of extended paternity leave are not only personal, but also helps working moms ease back into the office successfully. With dad at home too, moms have more support behind the scenes to focus on their careers instead of a newborn 24/7.

    Workplace Wellness Programs To Empower Mental Health

    Implementing workplace wellness programs not only builds chemistry between your employees and their departments, but promotes long-term mental health. Stress management programs like corporate massage, yoga and meditation, and virtual wellness keep the creative juices flowing and productivity levels at an all time high. We all know moving bodies are happy bodies, which ultimately improve our mood, cognitive function, and communication as a whole, so why not explore how workplace wellness can empower your employees?

    Working Moms (And Dads) Benefit From Employer-Sponsored Support

    Corporate America is evolving right in front of us. Employers must learn that in order to attract the best talent out there, they must have programs in place that support work-life balance. This is imperative for new moms (and dads). Hybrid work models and amenities like lactation stations/rooms, employer-sponsored childcare, and stress management programs all play a huge role in supporting working parents so they can give their children the attention they need without getting behind on daily tasks. When we create environments that empower our employees, we retain people who move our company forward.

    Is your workplace shifting? Body Techniques has helped thousands of brands implement progressive policies to support new moms and sustain healthy work-life balances. Talk to us today about your goals for 2022 and get professional insight on the best next step.

    Virtual Team Building Exercises For Hybrid Work Environments

    team building exercises for work

    We live in a day and age where there is a new “business as usual” unfolding. Some companies are shifting to 100% remote work, while others are adopting a hybrid model to give employees the flexibility to choose where they work on a day-to-day basis. This can create a problem for business leaders as they continue to find their footing in this changing environment. A simple, yet effective way to unite all employees – no matter where they are – is virtual team building exercises for.

    Read on to learn more about what you can do as an employer to keep all departments synchronized using tools such as Zoom, Google Meets, and virtual wellness platforms.

    Hybrid Working Models Are Here To Stay

    Hybrid work models are becoming increasingly popular in every industry, but what makes a work model “hybrid”? In short, it gives employees the option to either work from home completely, or for a few days a week and come into the office for more team-focused collaboration. Commercial environments from healthcare to tech and even small businesses are benefiting from hybrid work models as the dust settles from two plus years of button up shirts with pajama pants and making sure we’re not on mute before contributing to an online meeting. This not only offers employees some well-deserved work-life balance, but it also helps businesses cut on utility costs and other expenses that can add up from a managerial standpoint.

    So, what’s the catch?

    This may seem like a win-win, but working from home has its own set of consequences that often leave employees feeling disconnected from fellow colleagues and employers as a whole. Virtual team building exercises lay the foundation to help people connect and engage with one another. You can hire the best talent out there, but without internal trust between departments and team leaders, the outlook can be grim for most businesses.

    Build Team Chemistry No Matter Where Your Employees Are

    Designating a time and space for your team to come together is the first step towards virtual team building. Depending on the inner workings of your business structure, there may be certain activities that are more suitable for your employees over others.

    Virtual Yoga & Meditation

    Our clients have found the most effective methods for team building can be found through company-sponsored programs like virtual wellness. Online yoga and meditation classes equip employees with mental tools to keep stress levels low while connecting with their coworkers through a shared practice.

    Company-Sponsored Online Fitness Classes

    It’s no secret that working out boosts endorphins. By introducing virtual fitness classes, your employees can work on mind-body connection and bond with one another at the same time. Our virtual wellness program is designed to keep your team tuned in and active as they build team chemistry and motivate one another to persevere.

    Keep Daily Communications Human

    If your office uses instant messaging tools like Slack, try introducing Slack bots to keep remote and in-office staff connected. Slack bots can be programmed to humanize employee interactions and group channels. Use GIFs to celebrate employee birthdays, create automated messages for weekly data recaps, set up reward systems, and break the ice as you introduce new hires to the team.

    Improve Trust, Productivity, & Morale With Unique Exercises For Team Building

    Just because we don’t work like we used to doesn’t mean we can’t come together to empower one another. Don’t let changing work dynamics and hybrid models handicap your operations. Virtual team building exercises make these important get-togethers accessible for everyone and establish trust between departments, leaders, and new hires.

    Body Techniques specializes in virtual team building exercises and can guide you in the right direction when it comes to designing a program unique to your business. Learn more about our approach to employee wellness and how we can help unify your team.

    6 Ways You Can Show Appreciation to Your Employees

    Employee Appreciation

    6 Ways You Can Show Appreciation to Your Employees

    Whether you own a business or manage a team, you know your employees are one of your most valuable resources. But many companies struggle to show adequate appreciation for the people working to keep the business thriving, with challenges such as daily projects with tight deadlines and continually shifting priorities. This can result in a cycle of constant turnover of skilled and talented employees. 

    Showing your employees appreciation can boost morale, promote loyalty, increase productivity, and improve the overall wellbeing of your team. Creating space for gratitude and connection helps cultivate a culture that increases individual creativity, all while supporting overall company growth and expansion. We call that a win-win!

    If you want to retain experienced workers with knowledge and skill of the work at hand, employee appreciation has to be a normal practice in your business. Pizza parties are a great start, but we’re pushing to help empower leaders to do more for their staff. 

    Here are a few ways business owners, CEOs or company managers can show their gratitude and appreciation to employees who are making a positive contribution toward helping their company succeed.

    Touch Base With Employees Regularly

    Making time for daily interactions with your team is one way to connect and share appreciation. If you’re in the office, try to greet your team at the start of the day. It doesn’t have to be formal, a “hello” as you fill your coffee cup or a quick chat on the way to a meeting is all you need to check in and connect. For remote teams, make yourself available to pings and chats. Setting up a fun chat where the team can share lighthearted GIFs and stories can be a great way to connect while remote. Our BT team has a handful of chats we use, from sports to plants, crystals, and pets, and people can opt-out as they please. It’s a fun break during the day that helps to keep the team connected as humans as we log into and out of meetings.

    Another way to touch base with your staff is by recognizing their accomplishments publicly during a staff meeting or by sending a personal thank you note to acknowledge your appreciation of the good work they’re doing. It’s often the little gestures of thanks that people value most. By showing your employees appreciation, you help create a positive, satisfying, productive work environment that people look forward to. You’ll also retain valuable personnel that your company needs in order to move forward in the years ahead.

     Listen & Take Appropriate Action

    Listening to your employees and enacting change when necessary shows that you appreciate and value their input. Every company needs a way of collecting feedback from their workforce to get a clear picture of what’s happening at the ground level of their business. Creating space for open, honest communication is the first step, the second is taking action on the information you learn to make your workplace a better work environment for everyone.

    One way to keep the lines of communication open is to set up an effective HR department that looks out for the interests of your employees. Whether your workers are airing grievances, sharing safety concerns, or seeking professional or emotional support, your company’s HR department should be able to meet their needs. As a leader, you can show appreciation for your workforce by hiring competent, caring HR people who have a heart for those who work hard to make your business succeed.

    Offer a Fully Remote or Flex Schedule

    Listening to your employees gives you a better idea of what works and what doesn’t work in your business when it comes to worker productivity. Ineffectual work schedules are often at the top of the list. One way to tackle this obstacle and show appreciation to those who deserve it is to ffoer flexible work hours or remote work opportunities to the hard-working members of your team. 

    The last two years have taught us that many roles can be successfully shifted out of the office and into remote work. Remote work can help employees enjoy a better work-life balance, flexible hours, and the ability to work from anywhere. Meanwhile, employers can benefit from increased productivity and lower overhead costs. There are plenty of productivity-boosting benefits that come with working remotely, such as:

    • No commute: This is probably the most popular remote work perk. When you work from home, you eliminate your commute entirely. This can save time and money on things such as gas, car maintenance, and so on..
    • More relaxed dress code: With remote work, there’s no need to get all dressed up for an office setting. You can rock your favorite pair of sweats or yoga pants all day long.
    • Increased focus and concentration: When you work from home, there are fewer distractions and interruptions. This can help you get into a flow state more easily and boost your productivity.
    • Access to more flexible hours: With remote work, you often have more control over your schedule. This can be a huge benefit if you have kids, need to take care of an elderly parent, or simply prefer to work odd hours.
    • Increased sense of work-life balance: When you’re not tied to a 9-to-5 schedule, it’s easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can lead to improved mental and physical health, as well as increased productivity.

    Overall, everyone can benefit from remote work in some way or another. It allows us to create a more productive and efficient workforce, all while a load of laundry gets washed.

    Offer Time Off

    Giving an employee time off is a great way to show your appreciation, especially after a particularly busy project or stressful season. After completing a major project or accomplishing a sought-after goal, schedule some paid leave for those who have earned it. You can schedule the PTO so that your team isn’t left short-handed or have employees choose a time that’s convenient or helpful for them.

    Everyone needs a little R&R from time to time. It’s a good way of showing your workers you value them and their health and welfare. Time off is important to prevent burnout. A hectic work schedule that requires working late to stay on top of timely projects can put employees at risk of burnout. Burnout can lead to a range of problems, including alcohol or drug abuse. A few days off (with pay, of course) gives people time to recharge, mentally and physically. 

    Offer Training and Opportunities for Advancement

    Giving your employees career training, cross-training, and opportunities for advancement shows that you care about their future. Like you, your workers have goals and dreams. Most people want to advance in their careers and are on the lookout for opportunities to develop their talents and skills. If you offer training programs that help people learn and grow, it will only benefit your business in the long run. This is another one of those win-wins, as you invest in your team they increase their skill set. By giving your people opportunities to advance and take on more responsibility, you show your workers you value what they have to offer and want to invest in their future.

    Invest in Wellness

    Employees spend long hours at work. So it’s important to make the office as welcoming as possible. One way to do that is by providing programs and benefits that focus on their overall mental and physical health. Whether it’s on-site gym access, corporate massage, or time off to volunteer for causes they support, your employees will be happier, which will increase productivity and reduce healthcare costs.

    A Little Gratitude Goes A Long Way

    These are a few of the many ways you can show appreciation to your employees. In turn, you’ll retain your workforce and grow them into a tight-knit team. Employees who are valued and appreciated are happier, more productive, and more inclined to go above and beyond in their daily tasks. When you consistently show appreciation for your employees, you help establish a work culture where your people can thrive and look forward to building a future with your company.

    Yoga Poses To Combat Sitting All Day At Work

    Yoga Poses To Combat Sitting All Day At Work

    Desk job employees: when’s the last time you took a moment to stretch your muscles?

    Stretching is so much more than being able to touch your toes or being flexible – it’s an opportunity to build a healthy mind-body connection that so many of us seem to lose sight of because our desk jobs are so demanding mentally.

    The hard truth? Humans aren’t made to sit 8-10 hours per day. In fact, long periods of sitting can actually be harmful in the grand scheme of things. But don’t worry, our certified yoga instructors have created a beginner-friendly sequence of poses to combat sitting all day.

    But before finding your zen, it’s important to understand how desk jobs can harm us when we sit for hours on end.

    How Your Desk Job May Be Harming Your Health

    This may be a wild guess, but if you’re reading this you’re most likely hunched over your desk (or phone). You landed here because you know your desk job can quite literally cause aches and pains in your lower back, wrists, and even result in headaches.

    Long story short – our bodies suffer at the hands of our desk jobs. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do about it. Taking a few moments each day to stretch can improve our posture and mood – ultimately resulting in feeling better. Yoga is an ideal way to loosen tight muscles and address certain areas on the body that don’t get as much movement as they should when sitting all day.

    The Best Yoga Flow For Desk Jobs

    From breath work and grounding poses to Warrior II and balancing, we’ve prepared a simple, yet effective sequence of yoga poses to help you feel better after sitting all day at work. Hold each pose for 5-10 breaths. As with any exercise, listen to your body. No pose should be painful or uncomfortable. It’s all about finding that balance between effort and ease.

    The Best Yoga Flow For Desk Jobs

    Balasana (Child’s Pose)

    Start off in Child’s Pose. This shape not only lengthens the spine, but opens your hips and grounds you before setting an intention for your practice. From here, find your breath – breathe in and out through your nose.

    How To Find The Pose: Come on your hands and knees and bring your toes to touch and knees wide as you move your hips toward heels. Walk your hands forward until your forehead comes to the mat or floor. If it’s comfortable, close your eyes.

    Marjaryasana/Bitilasana

    Marjaryasana/Bitilasana (Cat/Cow Pose)

    Cat/Cow Pose improves spine flexibility and stretches your back muscles. Perfect if you have to drive long commutes on top of sitting all day.

    How To Find The Pose: From Child’s Pose, come onto your hands and knees making sure they’re shoulder and hip width apart. Inhale and press through your palms. Round your spine as you drop your head to find Cat Pose. On the exhale, drop your belly towards the floor, then lift your gaze and look up – coming into Cow Pose. Match breath to movement and cycle through 5-7 rounds of Cat/Cow.

    Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)

    Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)

    Downward Facing Dog Pose provides a juicy stretch in all the right places. It improves circulation and helps release tension in the neck.

    How To Find The Pose: Root down into your palms and begin raising your knees off the mat. Lift your hips and straighten your legs if possible. In your first Down Dog, pedal the feet to ease into the pose. Firm the outer arms and shoulder blades. Look back at your toes. Shake the head yes and no to release tension in the base of your skull.

    Uttanasana (Standing Fold Pose)

    Uttanasana (Standing Fold Pose)

    This inversion pose is ideal to alleviate anxiety and reduce tension headaches. For beginners, make sure to bend your knees as much as you need to avoid pulling a muscle. Standing Fold Pose is known to help with digestion, as well as stretching your hamstrings.

    How To Find The Pose: Root down into your palms and begin raising your knees off the mat. Lift your hips and straighten your legs if possible.

    Tadasana

    Tadasana (Tall Mountain Pose)

    Tall Mountain is another key pose in any yoga flow. It’s in this shape that you’ll have to practice your drishti (focused gaze) to keep the mind and body still. This pose is beneficial if you’re working on your balance and helps lengthen your spine.

    How To Find The Pose: Root into your feet and come all the way up until you’re standing with your arms overhead. Depending on how your body feels, you can stand with your feet together or hip-width distance apart.

    Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose)

    Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose)

    Warrior II pays homage to the Hindu god, Shiva. This pose is a test of endurance and strength for any yogi because your legs are doing most of the work to hold yourself still while the core is engaged to stabilize the torso. Another benefit of Warrior II? It’s a beloved hip opener that is easily modified to be accessible for all levels of fitness.

    How To Find The Pose: From Tall Mountain, step your right foot back and bring the edge of your foot in line with the short edge of your mat. Bend the left knee. Your hips should be open towards the right side of the room. Bring your arms into a T and look over your left hand, again finding your drishti. Repeat on the left side.

    desk job yoga poses savasana

    The Cooldown

    After you’ve gone through the poses above, come onto your back and take a few deep breaths. Add in an additional twist by lifting your legs, bend at the knees, and let them fall to either side of you. You can use blankets, yoga blocks, or books to bring the floor up if your knees don’t quite touch it yet. After this, extend your arms by your sides, legs go long, and close your eyes as you find the best pose of all: Savasana.

    A Little Yoga Goes A Long Way

    Finding just 15-20 minutes a day to stretch your body has lifelong benefits – especially if you work a desk job. No matter if you have perfect posture or not, these yoga poses keep your mind-body connection intact and improve circulation. Practicing yoga is all about listening to what your body needs and that changes by the day.

    Corporate Yoga: Practice Yoga With Your Coworkers

    Not only do our bodies benefit from yoga, but our relationships can, too. There’s a certain kind of chemistry that happens between groups of people who practice yoga together. Bonds formed on your mat carry into the workplace and can improve communication within and between departments. Body Techniques provides both in-person and online yoga classes for workplaces with desk jobs just like yours. Learn more about our corporate yoga programs and why stress management is so important in corporate settings.