Well-being at workplace through mindfulness: Influence of Yoga practice on positive affect and aggression

Abstract

Introduction:Mindfulness is about being aware of internal and external stimuli by witnessing the act in a nonjudgmental manner. Earlier researches suggest that positive affectivity (PA) is negatively related to negative affectivity, aggression, and counterproductive work behavior (CWB).Aim:The present study examined the effect of mindfulness developed through Yoga practices on aggression and PA among working professionals involved in CWB.Materials and Methods:A pre-test, post-test randomized controlled design was used with a study sample of Yoga group (n = 80) and control group (n = 80) for a duration of 10 weeks. Yoga module that included Asanas, Pranayama, meditation, and Yogic theories were taught to the Yoga group. Mild to moderate physical exercises and management theories were taught to the control group. Measurements of aggression and PA scores were taken at the baseline and postintervention for assessment.Results:At the baseline, there was no significant difference in the variable scores between both the groups. Postintervention results revealed that Yoga group showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) reduction in aggression and significant (P < 0.001) enhancement in PA in comparison to the control group.Conclusions:When compared with the control group at the end of the intervention, the Yoga group scores were significantly lower for aggression and higher for PA.

Yoga and meditation: integrating mind-body medicine into a workplace wellness program. Police agency organizational and implementary considerations

“…Mind-body medicine includes intervention strategies and therapeutic approaches that promote health including but not limited to yoga, meditation, Pilates, tai chi, relaxation therapy, clinical and applied hypnosis, guided and visual imagery, biofeedback, prayer, qi gong, metaphysical healing, metaphysical counseling, cognitivebehavioral therapy, spirituality, spiritual counseling and autogenic training. [9][10][11][12] For the purposes of this paper and the police officer Workplace Wellness Program, yoga and meditation will be the mindbody medicine modalities prescribed, implemented and utilized.…”

“…Empirical evidence continues to accumulate revealing that yoga and meditation are proving notably useful in reducing stress, physical disorders and mental illness for police officers. 6,[11][12][13][14] Meditation and mindfulness training can play a significant role in reducing chronic stress and providing coping tools for the daily rigors police officers face. 15 Findings have also confirmed both physical and mind-body exercises for police officers "affected, in participants, the perceived distress, thereby increasing the perception of wellbeing".…”

“…Additionally, the officers will be provided Harvard University beginner Hatha yoga guides and University of Sedona beginner meditation handbooks which will describe and illustrate the activities they will be performing in their new program. 12 Step 2: Upon completion of the orientation and baseline forms, police officers will begin the three times per week yoga and meditation exercises led by highly qualified interagency health professionals. The Mind-Body Medicine "Yoga and Meditation" program will include the following:…”

“…Police officer basic breathing meditation exercise prescription: ten minutesof beginner meditation practice as aforementioned, outlined and described in the founder of The University of Metaphysics book Meditation Dynamics. 12…”

Calm a Mobile based Deep Breathing Game with Biofeedback

“…Less stressed employees are more productive and are lesser prone to illnesses, minimizing their likelihood of taking days off [17]. Research also shows that working individuals who practice slow as well as fast breathing exercises experienced lower aggression and increased positive affect [18,19]. There are various kinds of deep breathing exercises, namely diaphragmatic breathing, focus breathing, alternate nostril breathing, equal breathing, deep breathing etc.…”