Raising Worker Wellness: Self Defense, Fitness and Healing

What are the consequences of bored and disempowered employees?   A number of movies and television shows such as “Office Space” and “The Office” (British and U.S. versions) have portrayed the drudgery experienced by the average worker and the ends they go through to release the pent-up malaise.  In the article Bored Office Workers Turn to Chocolate, Coffee and Booze featured on MSNBC.com, Jennifer Welsh discusses a recent study that attempts to quantify the level of worker dissatisfaction and describes some of the real-world consequences of employee discontent.

At a “poster session” at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology, Sandi Mann, one of the studies’ researchers, presented the research findings.  The small study conducted out of the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom showed that at least 25 percent of workers are bored most of the time.  The study does not appear to refer to the natural, and in many ways, necessary down-time that can occur in the normal ebb and flow of work activity, but seems to focus on workers seemingly trapped in an oppressive, consistent pattern of tedium and disinterest.  Undemanding workload, repetitive tasks, and uninteresting work are sited as some of the main sources of boredom affliction.

To compensate, many workers may tap into unhealthy patterns that make the office less healthy and even counterproductive.  During the workday, many workers utilize coffee and unhealthy snacks to counter the dreariness of the day.  This relief lasts long enough to get them through to happy hour.  The study indicates that about a third of workers turn to alcohol after work to shake off workday boredom.  Combined with a sedentary work style of sitting at a desk for most of the day, these relief methods can often lead to physical and mental health issues such as obesity and alcohol related health problems.

Additionally, boredom on the job can generate external repercussions in the office space and the entire organization.   To highlight the impact on work quality; almost 80 percent of respondents felt that being bored at work makes them lose concentration, more than 50 percent felt it left them more inclined to make mistakes, and almost half of the study participants felt that workplace boredom might drive them to leave their current job.  The tendency to leave increases to almost 80 percent for those who indicate they are clearly bored. Mann goes on to explain,

“…those individuals suffered from chronic boredom on the job that resulted in more stress, more absences and a desire to leave their current job. The chronically bored may also turn to risk-taking in the office to stimulate themselves….At work people vandalize, steal, and sabotage just because they are bored and looking for extra stimulation.”

There are numerous issues that can be extrapolated from the results of this study.  For instance, there is work that can be done at the individual level to get at the root causes of the workplace boredom and perhaps the overall dissatisfaction that may also be affecting them outside of their work-life.

In the meantime, however, there are healthy alternatives to coping and releasing.  As featured in past postings including Fitness, Self Defense, and the Brain and Self Defense: Strengthening Body, Mind…and Soul, fitness programs and other activities provoking physical exertion can be rejuvenating to the body, mind, and spirit.  Numerous great studies have been conducted to prove the positive effects that exercise and physical activity have on the brain.  It is well documented that fitness and conditioning programs not only enhance physical capabilities, but also help strengthen mental dexterity.  Furthermore, at Luminous Warrior it is believed that exercise not only helps increase mental health, but also helps raise emotional well-being.  By offering self defense, fitness, and yoga programs, there are a variety of ways to experience this at Luminous Warrior.

If physical exertion is not ideal, Shamanic Healing (The Power of Shamanic Healing)  is another great modality for improving overall health, wellness, and finding your personal path to life empowerment (Path of Power Program).

At the organization level, Luminous Warrior is starting a Corporate Wellness Program with significant discounts available for employees of participating organizations.  Contact Luminous Warrior to get more information and find out how your organization can participate at 202.670.7086.

Written by: Cary on January 13, 2012.
Last revised by: Cary on January 20, 2012.