by Silvio Bianculli on October 19, 2010
Job-related stress has a measurable impact on workers’ health and, 
by extension, corporate profits according to an article in the New York Times on September 5, 2004.
Workplace-reported stress reportedly costs this nation over $300 billion a year in health care, missed work, and stress-reduction expenses. Incurred costs are 46% higher, or on average $600 more per person, than other employees.
Health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress. (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)
Workers who must take time off work because of stress, anxiety, or a related disorder will be off the job for about 20 days. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The American Institute of Stress states that in the United States, about one million people are absent from work each day because of stress (American Institute of Stress, 2004). In England, a study conducted in 2000 by the Confederation of British Industry indicates that about 30% of all sick leave is related to stress (Hoel, Sparks, & Cooper, 2001).
If we add to this number other factors linked to stress, such as extended work schedules, lack of employee commitment and loss of employee motivation, it would appear that stress is the cause of nearly 40% of all absences.
“Creating Stress-Free, Productive and Healthy Workforces“
by Silvio Bianculli on October 18, 2010
A British study indicated that busy professionals who exercised during the
day felt more productive and were less likely to yell at colleagues or slam down the phone after they had worked up a sweat.
Researchers surveyed some 200 professionals in three different places –
- a computer company
- life insurance agency and
- university
– about their job performance and moods in relation to days when they exercised at work and days they didn’t. Participants were allowed to partake in any kind of physical activity; most of them spent 30-60 minutes at lunch doing everything from yoga to strength training to basketball.
The results proved none-too-surprising:
• Six out of 10 participants admitted their mental skills and ability to meet deadlines improved on days they exercised.
• The beneficial effect of exercise on mood and performance continued regardless of how long participants exercised or what they did; researchers explained even short stints of activity (i.e. a brisk walk during lunch or choosing the stairs instead of the elevator) a few times a day can add up.
• Those who exercised also experienced far better moods, were less likely to suffer form the classic “post-lunch dip” and felt more satisfied going home at the end of their workday.
Workplace Exercise Programs?
Researchers hope the findings will motivate companies to offer workplace exercise programs,
- which may help reduce sick days and
- cut health-care costs in return.
MSNBC June 14, 2005
Dr mercola.com
“Creating Stress-Free, Productive and Healthy Workforces“
by Silvio Bianculli on October 5, 2010
Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases.
The Wall Street Journal Health
January 5, 2010
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, medical experts are offering more reasons to exercise on a regular basis: Regular workouts may help fight off colds and flu, reduce the risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases and slow the process of aging. Physical activity has long been known to bestow such benefits as helping to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress,> not to mention tightening those abs.
Now, a growing body of research is showing that regular exercise—as simple as a brisk 30- to 45-minute walk five times a week—can boost the body’s immune system, increasing the circulation of natural killer cells that fight off viruses and bacteria. And exercise has been shown to improve the body’s response to the influenza vaccine, making it more effective at keeping the virus at bay.
“No pill or nutritional supplement has the power of near-daily moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people take,” says David Nieman, director of Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis, N.C. Dr. Nieman has conducted several randomized controlled studies showing that people who walked briskly for 45 minutes, five days a week over 12 to 15 weeks had fewer and less severe upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flu.
These subjects reduced their number of sick days 25% to 50% compared with sedentary control subjects, he says.
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“Creating Stress-Free, Productive and Healthy Workforces“
