Massage in the Workplace Extract
1. Massage reduces workplace stress by 30%
This special report focuses on research into the role that Massage can play in reducing stress in the workplace. In particular, it focuses on the Shulman study, which demonstrates convincingly that Massage can reduce anxiety and stress in the workplace. This has a knock on effect on improving productivity and attendance.
Anxiety and stress can cause absenteeism and lowered productivity levels. The cost of this to your company is sometimes hard to measure. One study in America showed that anxiety and stress was costing top companies over 25 billion dollars a year (Palmer, 1990).
These stress related costs show that any measures a company can take to reduce the effects of stress on its employees could have a real impact on their company’s overall success.
2. Stress is endemic to the workplace
It is unlikely that stress will ever leave the workplace. Even under normal circumstances, the workplace is an inherently stressful environment. This can be due to:
1 Deadlines (real or self imposed)
2 Presentation
3 Need for perfection
4 Disagreements with colleagues
5 Difficulties with bosses
6 Difficulties with staff
7 Changes to working practice
8 Threat of unemployment
What matters is how a company can help to reduce the impact of that stress on their staff.
Numerous studies have shown that reduced anxiety levels in employees can lead to better morale, improved productivity, better decision making and ultimately better performance (Lazarus 1963; Steers & Black 1994).
3. Stress reduction programmes embraced
Many companies have embraced stress reduction programmes which vary widely from such activities as exercise and relaxation to visualisation techniques, time management training and counselling.
With so many companies going through downsizing (Byrne 1994), the negative effects of anxiety and stress on performance could become a significant factor to any company’s chance of success.
One study - the focus of this article - has shown why Massage is now emerging as one of the successful and surprising favourites in this battle against stress in the workplace. This is perhaps one of the reasons why companies such as Apple Computers, AT&T, Warner Lambert and Heinz have all embraced Massage for their stress reduction programmes.