If you often start the day feeling stressed or drained before even leaving for work, you’re not on your own – but rather than suffering in silence, it’s time to change your mindset.
According to a survey of more than 2,000 UK adults by Eve Sleep, 60% wake up with some degree of anxiety, which experts call “morning stress”. The main cause is thoughts of going to work and the busy day ahead.
Almost two-thirds of younger people aged 18 to 24 say their stress is related to ongoing pressure to succeed in a competitive workplace, according to a study by YouGov. The main causes include being bombarded with messages that need an immediate response, and worrying about being compared unfavourably with colleagues.
Learning how to reduce stress and anxiety in the office is an important part of improving our emotional wellbeing. Feeling anxious from the moment we wake up can lead to difficulties in falling asleep at night for 79% of people, who can’t “switch off”.
How to improve your mindset
Feelings of anxiety when awakening have a physical cause, as stress is our body’s response to real or perceived threats, leading us to release cortisol, known as the “stress hormone”.
Leading to higher adrenaline levels and increased blood flow; the human body releases more cortisol in the morning, between around 8 am and 10am, just after waking up. The medical term for this is the “cortisol awakening response”.
Studies show participating in yoga before work can set you up for the day by creating a calm, focused mindset, mitigating the effects of morning stress. An important step is to start the day with good intentions, leaving you feeling calm, centred and ready to take on every challenge.
What are the benefits of yoga?
Morning yoga can create the kind of energising and mindful feeling that will help you to keep calm. Reducing stress in turn boosts energy levels and improves focus.
Participating in a regular yoga routine can help you to experience a feeling of renewal, providing a positive moment that will carry on throughout the day, while improving mental clarity.
Deep breathing exercises, combined with yoga poses, have proved beneficial by reducing stress for 88% of British adults who take part, according to surveys, including those who join a class with work colleagues. Even if you’ve never done it before, there’s no need to feel self-conscious or nervous, as classes are available to practice yoga in the morning for beginners, so start your journey with other people who are at the same level.
Employees who participate before work agree that yoga reduces stress and anxiety, boosts energy, enhances focus and clarity, and improves posture and mobility. In fact, yoga has been recognised as one of the top ten forms of exercise in the world, with more than 300 million people taking part regularly.
If you’re a newcomer, start with a few simple beginner-friendly poses until you become more familiar with the basics.
Consistency over complexity
With all yoga poses, incorporate breathing work to gain the full benefits. It’s not necessary to try the most complex moves, as consistency is the key. Work out every morning and remain constant in the type and duration of the exercises.
Most people start feeling the benefits within six to 12 weeks, noticing changes in strength, flexibility and overall wellbeing. Maybe you’ve always believed you don’t have time, but it’s important to start the day properly.
Your wellbeing matters
BE Offices provides serviced offices in London, offering the perfect hybrid workspace to give your team the flexible working they want, but with the collaboration and social interaction they need for success. We believe in the value of wellness, health and fitness: all clients will be invited to become a member of our wellbeing platform.
Totally free of charge; world-class, on-demand exercise programmes are accessible to everyone, providing a convenient way to workout, anywhere, anytime. BE Fit offers 1,500 classes to choose from, delivered by experienced instructors – there’s a workout waiting for every member, at a time to suit them. On-demand classes include yoga, Pilates, boxing, cardio, stretch and recovery, boot camp, dance, meditation, breathing and wellbeing tips plus more.
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