New analysis from the Journal of Occupational Health shows that yoga can help lower work-related stress.
The data consisted of 15 studies across nine countries and found that healthcare workers who incorporated “yoga or yoga-like exercise” responded positively on assessments that measure stress, physical and emotional burnout.
Of the 688 participants across the studies, 341 engaged in some type of yoga program, 167 regularly received massage therapy and 20 routinely performed stretching exercises.
In all of the studies, all types of physical relaxation methods were found to help decrease occupational stress. Still, yoga was found to be the best method.
Yoga has long been linked to decreasing stress and improving moods, which is why companies should encourage workers to implement any yoga-like routine into their work days.
“Protecting worker health, including mental health, should be a priority for both employers and employees, and steps should be taken to recognize signs of work stress and mitigate their effects,” said Dr. Michael Zhang, co-author of the study.
