Most people think of insurance packages or discounted dental care when they hear the words employee benefits, but in recent times, wellness perks have become increasingly popular. You might not think of an office as an ideal place to have a massage, but more and more employers are choosing to offer incentives like corporate chair massage. If you run a business, and you’re searching for ways to boost morale and promote health and wellbeing, here’s a guide to the benefits of massage therapy in the workplace.

Benefits of corporate massage

Corporate massage offers benefits for both employers and employees. Here, we’ll explore the advantages of introducing massage therapy in detail.

Advantages for employers

Massage offers a raft of benefits for business owners, including:

• Improved health and well being

Massage therapy is proven to benefit mental well being, as well as physical health. Two of the most pressing concerns for employers are work-related stress and back pain. These are the most common reasons for worker absenteeism in the US. According to the American Institute of Stress, 40% of workers rate their job as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressful, and 1 in 4 view work as the most significant stressor in their life. Figures from the American Chiropractic Association suggest that 264 million working days are lost each year as a result of back pain. Massage is proven to reduce stress levels and alleviate aches and pains. By providing chair massages on a regular basis, employers can promote better health and well being and reduce the risk of losing workers to work-related illness and injuries. Research also suggests that providing wellness benefits can encourage employees to make healthier lifestyle choices. Over 60% of people said that wellness programs at work have prompted them to take more interest in their health.

• Increased productivity and boosting morale

Every employer wants to get the best out of their team. Business owners depend on the people who work for them. If your team is happy and healthy and morale is high, your company will thrive. Corporate massage is a means of lifting spirits and increasing productivity. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder revealed that 61% of workers were burned out. Even a 15-minute massage can help employees to clear their minds, relax and recharge their batteries.

• Enhanced brand image and attracting top talent

Employers that take steps to look after their employees are viewed positively by staff members and prospective workers. Providing benefits is an effective means of attracting top talent and of enhancing your brand image and reputation. Consumers care about how people are treated, and benefits schemes and incentives show that, as an employer, you treat your team well. Almost 90% of workers at businesses that promote and support wellness initiatives would recommend their company to others. In companies where leaders are viewed as not having an interest in employee wellbeing, this figure falls to just 17%. Some of the most high-profile businesses in the world, including Google and Facebook, provide massages for employees.

Benefits for employees

• Reduced levels of stress and anxiety

According to CareerBuilder, over 30% of US adults admit to experiencing high levels of stress while at work. Stress can affect mental and physical health, causing mood swings, a loss of motivation, poor immunity, sleep troubles and a lack of focus. Massage therapy is an effective stress buster. During a massage, endorphins are released and levels of serotonin and dopamine increase. This makes you feel good and reduces the risk of stress. A study involving nurses found that regular massage sessions over a 4-week period contributed to a ‘significant’ reduction in stress levels.

• Improved sleep

Most of us have tried to battle through a challenging day at work after a sleepless night. When you can’t sleep, it can be incredibly difficult to concentrate, to process and retain information and to stay motivated. Sleep problems are common among US adults, with around 25% of the population experiencing bouts of insomnia. Research carried out by the American Massage Therapy Association supports the notion that massage is beneficial for sleep.

• Motivation

If your days usually involve meetings, pitches, sending and reading emails or staring at a screen and tapping away at a keyboard for hours on end, the prospect of taking time out of the working day to have a massage is undoubtedly appealing. People who might otherwise be disinterested or even daunted by the thought of going to work have something to look forward to. Having a massage can increase productivity and motivation and give you a lift when your energy levels start to dip.

• Commitment and loyalty

Every employer wants to keep hold of their best employees. For employees, feeling valued is a key consideration, and more impetus is also being placed on work-life balance than ever before. Today, people are less concerned about wages and more interested in finding a job that enables them to earn a living and gain a sense of satisfaction at the same time. According to a survey by Deloitte, millennials consider work-life balance more important than opportunities to progress and flexibility. Employees who have access to wellness benefits and initiatives designed to improve health and wellbeing are more likely to be committed to a company and to be loyal to an employer.

Summary

Employee wellbeing is a subject of interest at the moment, with many employers taking steps to encourage healthier lifestyles and tackle common work-related issues, such as stress and back pain. Massage therapy offers an array of benefits for company owners, as well as employees. Businesses can benefit from increased productivity and better team morale, and consumers and partners also have a positive view of companies that take good care of their workforce. Employees are likely to feel happier and they can also benefit from reduced stress levels and improved sleep patterns. Teams that have access to perks are also more likely to be loyal to be their employer and to recommend their company to others.

If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of massage services for businesses, or you’re keen to learn more about what we offer, don’t hesitate to contact Body Well today.