Within any business organisation, regardless of size, product or service, the well-being of staff is crucial. As the levels of work-related illness continue to increase, a prevention program becomes an important consideration for all employers and management. Employers are subject to a general duty of care to their staff and need to recognise that workplace stress is a health and safety issue. Loss of productivity due to stress-related illness is costing companies millions every year and anything you do to dissipate stress is time, energy and money well spent.
Tai Chi and associated Chi Kung practice can significantly reduce both mental and physical stress and thereby boost health and performance in the workplace. It focuses the mind whilst conditioning the body, generates energy whilst calming the mind and the emotions. These Chinese Arts are recognised for providing an effective tool to be used as a coping mechanism against destructive stressors both at work and in personal life and many companies are now integrating the powerful health and personal growth tools of Tai Chi into their workplace.
Bubbling Springs Tai Chi offers a program providing an effective, affordable and enjoyable approach to managing stress. Our in-house workshops can be specifically tailored to suit your business. Non-competitive and non-combative, it can be practised by people of all ages and levels of fitness. No equipment is necessary, just a suitably sized quiet room.
As well as running dedicated day or half-day workshops, our Tai chi based workshops can be incorporated into stress management programs, corporate hospitality events and regular employee training.
Among the many health benefits that regular practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung can offer, the following are of particular relevance in the workplace:
* Reduction of stress and associated illness and an increased tolerance to external stressors.
* Regulated blood pressure, stronger circulatory and lymphatic systems.
* Enhanced confidence, focus, concentration and mental clarity.
* Maintenance of joint flexibility.
* Deeper, more relaxed and effective breathing.
* Stronger immune function.
* Improved posture, muscle tone, co-ordination and balance.
* Improved performance. A relaxed body performs more effectively and creates less strain.
* Networking. Learning tai chi can help form new friendships and improve team spirit.
By taking positive action to tackle work-related stress your company will be rewarded by such benefits as:
* Improved motivation, efficiency, productivity, communications and teamwork.
* Less absenteeism, illness, accidents and ‘burnout’.
* Substantial reduction in costs related to the effects of stress.
* Reduced staff turnover
* Better individual health leading to better organisational health.
The following points are noted from information provided by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- About 1 in 5 people say that they find their work either very or extremely stressful.
- In 2006/2007, an estimated 2.2 million people suffered from an illness they believed was caused or exacerbated by their work, resulting in nearly 30 million workdays lost (FTE).
- Of these around three-quarters of the cases were musculoskeletal disorders, or stress, depression or anxiety.
- The HSE expect organisations to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessment for stress, and to take action to tackle any problems identified by that risk assessment.
- In 2004, the HSE published national Management Standards with an aim to reducing work-related stress and its consequences.
- Employers have duties :
Under the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 :
To assess the risk of stress-related ill health arising from work activities
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:
To take measures to control that risk
By acting now and organising Tai Chi workshops for your staff you will be taking such measures; helping to reduce the increasing numbers of employees suffering from mental and/or physical stress as a result of their work.Contact Bubbling Springs now to discuss your requirements
