Category: Blog

Some days it seems like the work never stops. We rush to our desks and have a second for coffee before a tornado of meetings, emails, and impending deadlines spin us around for eight hours. The nonstop chaos Corporate America is infamous for taking a massive toll on work-life balance. The result? Employee stress continues to grow, leaving many unsure of how to keep sane amidst it all.

Encouraging team members to add small work breaks to their daily flow helps bring some peace and order to the grand scheme of things. This also improves employee wellness. Of course, more breaks at work sound fantastic, but on a day with an already overwhelming workload, what are the upsides to breaks and how can we, as employers, fit them into busy schedules?

The Benefits Of Work Breaks

Everyone would love the chance to feel a little more free at work and find time for rest, but work breaks positively affect more than our exhaustion levels. Factor in productivity increases, less stress, and ultimately higher job satisfaction and you’ll quickly wonder why it took so long to find fresh ways to empower employee wellbeing.

Boost Productivity

Taking regular breaks gives our brains the time it needs to refresh and refocus. Studies show that not only does a 5-minute break every hour improve productivity, but work accuracy goes up and fatigue goes down. With a routine break throughout the day, smaller decisions are easier to manage, and strategic prioritization of projects becomes habitual. Better focus and higher energy means a more productive work day.

Reduces Stress and Health Problems

A nonstop day at the office can be stressful; work breaks give your bodies time to decompress and relieve that pressure. In a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, taking frequent breaks can lower the risk of musculoskeletal illnesses and other physical health issues that are linked to extended sitting and computer use.

More Job Satisfaction

Having the option to take a break here and there also improves the way employees feel about their jobs. This also creates an opportunity for coworkers to get to know each other. Who knew water cooler talk actually boosted morale? 

Leaving space for employees to step away from their workload is monumental in overall job satisfaction. Your team will see that you’re making steps towards helping them find their own work-life balance and want them to feel valued in the workplace. This mutual understanding will be hugely beneficial for your bottom line. According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, businesses that offer regular breaks and flexible work schedules have lower employee turnover rates and greater levels of employee engagement.

How To Incorporate Wellness Into The Work Day

Incorporating employee wellness is as easy as adding breaks to the day (or the option to take them). Starting the conversation with your team or department leads is a great place to start this positive change to your workplace culture. 

Encourage Employees To Take A Mental Health Break

“Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction…It is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done,” says Tim Reider in The New York Times. 

Adding breaks to the day starts with attitude. Breaks shouldn’t feel like a mistake. They’re essential recharge points that give our minds time to rev back up to full power. If you have the time to unplug for a few minutes, join your team in the break room and start getting their opinions on what they’d like to see from you, as their employer, in terms of workplace benefits and employee incentives. We’ve seen businesses in tech, healthcare, even the legal profession benefit from wellness programs such as in-office massage. It’s the perfect 15-minute break that truly helps anyone lost in their day-to-day hit the reset button!

Handle The Scheduling So Employees Can Turn On Focus Mode

While employees may hold the same job title, they have different working styles that impact the way they approach projects and deadlines. If letting employees schedule their own breaks isn’t feasible for your business model, try hosting a company-wide event and build your own stress management program! This can actually help your team because they can focus on what’s currently in their queue and not so much about, “Did I take my break yet?” They should still have the flexibility to take a five-minute break here and there, but going the extra mile to put on an appreciation event of sorts will encourage employees to meet you in the middle when it comes to workplace expectations and job engagement.

Host A Company-Wide Event To Give The Whole Office A Break!

Every company needs time to destress and relax together. Our stress management programs all take the meaning of “work break” to the next level, with corporate massage, yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions to refresh the mind, body, and soul. Ask your employer about corporate wellness packages and events to bring some calm and energy back to your office! Better yet, build your own program and we’ll give you the one-on-one help you need to customize your benefits package in a way that keeps employees healthy, happy, and prepared for whatever tomorrow might bring. 

Customize your employee stress management program today!

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!

In a post pandemic world, virtual accommodations are more important now than ever before – especially when it comes to the way we work. And while Zoom meetings, local coffee shop spots, and taking calls in sweatpants is newer to Corporate America (and Canada), what hasn’t changed is the day-to-day job stresses… And the toll they can take on employee morale, as well as wellbeing. In fact, 41% of employees who take on high amounts of remote work say they feel high levels of stress “always” or “most of the time.” Even with hybrid work models, coworkers can become disconnected to each other or their work, leading business operations to suffer.

With no relief, your team can quickly experience burn out. What’s worse? They’ll start looking for a change, which could result in you losing valuable team and culture assets. Virtual wellness companies can provide resources that relieve workplace stress and bring your team closer together. With a calmer mind and improved health, you and your employees will feel better and find new motivation to work productively. It’s easy to see the benefits of using virtual wellness companies are definitely worth exploring.

What Are Virtual Wellness Companies?

A virtual wellness company, such as Body Techniques, brings familiar wellness programs to the digital world, allowing remote or hybrid employees to join. We offer a variety of online programs, including:

• Yoga
• Fitness
• Stretching
• Meditation classes

These classes are full of at-home exercises that coworkers do together, connected through an online session. One-time events can help, but the best results in changing stress levels come from consistent virtual wellness programs that are company-sponsored, included in the employee benefits package.

Online Yoga & Fitness Classes Sustain Employee Wellbeing

Whether you’ve noticed or not, your coworkers probably deal with workplace stress already, but not always in healthy ways. Stress shows itself in the form of anxiety, lack of initiative or less creative problem solving, all obstacles to productivity. When employees can manage their stress effectively, they’re happier at work – more efficient too!

In an online yoga or fitness class, employees are engaged with each other as they relieve their stress, giving them shared experience as they engage their whole bodies and breathwork. Each type of virtual wellness carries unique benefits and strengths.

Company-Sponsored Online Yoga & Meditation

In yoga and meditation classes, all focus is on the present moment. An instructor guides you through held poses, called asanas, all to remove distraction and promote body awareness. Stretching, breathing exercises and aerobics all come together in a therapeutic release of your body and mind’s tension. Our virtual wellness program offers these classes online, giving access to your team no matter where they are. 

Virtual Fitness Classes

Research shows that physical activity leaves people feeling better about themselves, in a better mood, and less stressed than before. Virtual fitness classes bring the workout to your home, led by an instructor focused on refreshing your day with movement. A wide range of class types exist, such as:

• Bootcamp
• Pilates
• Recovery

Our company-sponsored virtual fitness classes always blend a satisfactory amount of effort with an intensity tailored to your needs.

Take Advantage Of Virtual Wellness & Help Employees Thrive

The struggle against stress and disconnection in the workplace continues to grow. If your company uses a hybrid or remote work model, you need to proactively create bonds and destressors before it affects your employees or bottom line permanently. A company-sponsored virtual wellness program refreshes your team as they connect with each other, making for a positive, collaborative work environment.

As a virtual wellness company ourselves, we’re equipped to run the programs you need. Contact us to add some much needed health and wellness to your employee benefits package!

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!

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!

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!

If you’re unsure of how to strategically invest your end of year budget, you’ve come to the right place. 

With the fiscal year coming to an end, the time is now to use remaining financial resources before they disappear come January 1. Without a sound strategy in place, finding opportunities to maximize on unspent dollars can feel daunting, maybe even impossible for those who wear many hats in their profession. And while we’d all love a cash holiday bonus, this isn’t always feasible. There are several ideas for end of year budget spending that deliver ROI, improve company culture, and cultivate a genuine connection between employees that increase profitability altogether.

Of course, spending your remaining 2022 funds wisely starts with knowing what not to do. 

The Mistake Most Businesses Make When It Comes To Profitability

“Use it or lose it” budgets are common in the corporate world. Failure to use these funds can be compared to throwing money away. This is the biggest mistake a business can make when it comes to seizing an easy profitability opportunity. Deciding how to allocate your end of year budget should go hand-in-hand with your long term business strategy. If you’re not thinking about employee retention being a pivotal element of your business’ growth, this is your sign. Countless studies show that profits skyrocket when employees feel appreciated and taken care of by their employers – and who can blame them? No one wants to work where they’re not fulfilled. As you narrow down smart ways to spend end of year funds, ask yourself the following:

• What can we do to make operation processes more efficient while simultaneously supporting our employees? 
• Should certain in-house responsibilities be outsourced? If so, what? 
• What tools can we provide to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of employees who work remote or hybrid schedules?

Answering these questions can guide your next steps on how to get the most out of your budget. Depending on how much you actually have to spend will also dictate the best course of action. All in all, your focus should be on implementing resources that empower your team and investing in the magic that is team chemistry. 

Practical (And Effective) Ways To Spend Your Remaining 2022 Budget

Upgrade Your Company Holiday Party With A One-Time Corporate Massage Session

Company holiday parties are a must if you’re looking to improve company culture. We’re not talking about the overdone pizza party with liters of pop. If you really want to foster employee engagement, you need to host an event that shows your team you value them for their hard work. As you plan out the details of your upcoming event, consider using remaining funds to book an in-office massage employees can take advantage of during the party! This extra perk will not only solidify attendance, but help everyone relax after a year of grinding. This can either be the main attraction of your party or a nice addition people can utilize if they need a break from socializing (we’ve all been there). 

Our best advice? Booking at least two weeks in advance gives you ample time to spread the word throughout various departments and get the most out of your session!

Refresh Your Employee Benefits Package With Stress Management Programs

Maybe you’re not looking for a one-time upgrade, but rather a long term improvement to your business model. Your end of year budget can pave the way for refreshing employee benefits through stress management programs. The last few years have turned “business as usual” on its head, but not necessarily in a bad way. Newer hybrid and fully remote work schedules obviously reduce face-to-face time with fellow colleagues, however there are still plenty of opportunities to invest in employee wellbeing. Even industries that cannot integrate with these new models (like healthcare) can use end of year funds to invest in programs that support the mental and physical health of their workers. 

Doing the legwork now to outsource stress management will save you both time and money as the new year unfolds. Body Techniques partners with law firms, tech giants, and small businesses alike across the country and Canada to offer wellness programs designed to fit their unique needs. By adding stress management support to your benefits package, you’re equipping your employees with tools that help them not just on the job – but in everyday life. Workplace culture (or lack thereof) fueled the Great Resignation that still haunts many employers today, but with the implementation of programs like online yoga classes, corporate massage, and fitness classes for employees you’re doing your part to strengthen company morale. 

Use (Or Lose) Your 2022 Budget Before It Expires

You have a lot on your plate right now. There’s no reason to add extra work when you can partner with a third party to help end 2022 on a high note. Don’t make the mistake of letting remaining funds expire when you can effortlessly use those dollars to increase your bottom line in the years to come. In-office massages are a great addition to your upcoming company holiday party if you’re seeking a one-time event. 

Should you find yourself wanting to use your budget to invest in a long term program, our team is trained to help you build out a custom stress management plan to help you reach profitability and performance goals. Reach out to us today to schedule your one-on-one consultation to get started before the holiday rush!

Despite the deep history of yoga spanning over 5,000 years, it hasn’t been until recently that businesses are normalizing corporate yoga classes for employees. We’re glad to see this program finally have a seat at the table of workplace benefits – and that it is one of the many stress management plans brands like Apple, Google, and Adobe are seeing major ROI with.

But why yoga? How can a single program have such a positive impact on company culture? Let’s get into it.

People Want To Work For Companies That Care

The way we work has completely changed. People are struggling to disconnect from the burdens they carry on the job when packing up to go home for the day. This can cause resentment and  eventually lead to the loss of otherwise great employees. 

In order to avoid worst case scenarios (like The Great Resignation), employers are tasked with finding solutions that contribute to both the mental and physical wellbeing of their staff. What most fail to recognize is that people need  to feel valued by the companies they work for. When HR managers and decision makers come to this realization, they take a giant step in the right direction towards creating a culture that attracts – and retains – the best talent in their respective industries.

Why Yoga At Work… Works!

No matter if it’s a few desk yoga poses or corporate fitness programs featuring in-office yoga, there’s a reason more and more brands are implementing yoga classes into their company-sponsored benefits.

Hybrid or Remote Working Employees Feel Included

Feeling connected to the businesses we work for is a core factor when it comes to job performance. Ensuring in-office, hybrid, and fully remote employees are included in company culture will have lasting effects on team chemistry. The secret to creating a full proof wellness program is to have options people can access no matter where they are. Partnering with a company that specializes in both in-person and online yoga classes for employees is what you want to look for here.

Lower Stress-Related Healthcare Costs

We’ve most likely all experienced the fallout that comes with unhealthy stress levels at work. Offering employees an outlet where they can forget the outside world for an hour or so will help them mentally reset – which reduces the chances of detrimental burnout. Creating an opportunity for people to develop tools to help regulate stress levels through meditation and breathwork does wonders for the body, mind, and spirit.  So much, in fact, that 54% of people who practiced yogic breathing exercises reduced their blood pressure by at least five points!

Improved Morale & Customer Service

Your employees will greatly appreciate the effort you’re making by offering corporate yoga classes. We all know how this works: when people feel valued by their employers they work harder and take their responsibilities to heart. This transpires into the way they not only interact with coworkers, but with customers too. Dealing with difficult conversations or people becomes a little less draining because they know they’ll be supported by you – their employer – in the end!

Office Yoga: The Wellness Benefit That Keeps On Giving

There’s no denying the physical and mental benefits that come from practicing yoga routinely. The positive impacts of offering corporate classes not only keep employees around the world connected, but also play a part in reducing stress-related healthcare costs such as high blood pressure and mental burnout. Offering wellness programs like this shows your team you truly care about their wellbeing. As a result, company morale skyrockets. You may even notice this in the way customer service is carried out. Happy people want to help others – be it their team, supervisors, or the customers they work with. 

How will you show your employees you value their time and effort? Building a wellness program such as this is always more successful when partnering with an experienced workplace wellness provider. Get additional insight and start building your own custom corporate yoga program with the help of Body Techniques today!