- Jun 13 2017
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- Non-profit, Workforce
- 0
Employee Well-Being Month: Namaste in Shape!
Did you know that exercise increases productivity in your professional and personal life? Studies show that including exercise in your daily routine can improve concentration, sharpen your memory, increase creativity and lower your stress! Some companies offer programs for employees to be active during the workday.
In our office, yoga is offered twice weekly for employees to come together and refresh throughout the day! In honor of Employee Well-Being Month, we asked National Able Network’s resident yogis, Amanda Mansour (Accounting Specialist) and Mary Ellen Aguilar (Staff Accountant), how staying active at work helps them in their careers – see their responses below:
Why do you practice yoga at work?
Amanda: I started doing yoga at work for a few different reasons. First, as a way of relaxation. It keeps me from becoming too overwhelmed and makes me feel positive with the language the instructor uses about self-awareness. Second, I wanted to win a fitness challenge the finance department had going on!
Mary Ellen: I recently have taken advantage of practicing yoga during my lunch break at work for a number of reasons. First, to help me de-stress and feel happier and more confident. Second, it helps to alleviate back and neck strain that I experience from time to time that comes from stress and sitting with poor posture all day at work. Another reason is taking a time out for myself and having a healthy and fun alternative that pulls me away from my desk and workload.
How does practicing yoga during your workday help you in your job?
Amanda: Yoga helps me focus. Stepping away from my desk for a little bit helps me gather and refresh my thoughts. I also feel productive to know I got a little bit of a workout in while I was at work, so I like to push my limits and think, “What else can I accomplish today?”
Mary Ellen: Practicing yoga during the day helps me take a break, allowing me to restart my approach for the second half of the workday. Yoga activates endorphins that boost my energy levels so instead of that 2:00 PM crash I have increased productivity in the afternoon!
