Stress Busting at a Conference
The Magic of Stress Busting at a Conference
By Kristine Iverson | CROW Practice LLC
A Note from Nathan:
I met Kristine through our mutual involvement with the Orlando Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Her company, CROW Practice, offers phenomenal wellness services — from Yoga to innovative team building sessions — that are tailored to the needs of conferences and live events.
I know from my own experience at a week-long event that began with a Yoga session each morning how much better I was able to focus on the content throughout long sessions when my body had been moving first thing.
When Kristine and I got to talking about what she does, and I heard the passion in her voice, I asked her to share her thoughts on Wellness sessions here. If you’re a meeting planner looking for a creative way to make your programs more effective — and to take care of your attendees holistically — I highly recommend contacting CROW Practice.
The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with meetings, agendas and an impossible to do list, know that your conference experience can change. Many conferences are now offering a relax room, a designated space to chill that may include: an oxygen bar, massages, cushions, coloring, stretch mats, essential oils and teas. Yoga sessions are also becoming a popular offering at conferences.
After a 60-minute yoga session, many conference attendees report feeling better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Not simply because they touched their toes or stretched their hamstrings. The clarity and internal space created from a yoga practice can be grounding, which is just what many need during the hustle and bustle of a conference. Clearing out some of the mind clutter during a conference is experiencing the magic of the moment.
One session of yoga typically lowers blood pressure and heart rate. After three to eight sessions, endorphin and serotonin levels raise and we literally feel better. After completing thirty sessions of yoga, bouts of anxiety and depression often decrease or subside. The magical effects will last longer than a 60-minute class. A mindful practice can even change your life’s direction completely. You’ll be aware of the magic when you find yourself reacting calmly in the face of conflict. The real magic of yoga happens off the mat just as much as on.
Our work can literally make us sick with long hours, impossible demands and uncertain job security, leading to stress-induced aches, pains and anxiety. Experts in Orlando, Florida are sharing a two hour stress busting interactive workshop. Conference attendees have reported that they have never attended anything like this before! Practicing breathing techniques such as alternate nostril breathing or four part breath, meditations and stretching were practical take a ways many had never before experienced before.
It’s in the employers’ best interest to look into the connection of employee stress and production, both for the good of their employees and for their own organizations. We can all agree that our lives are stressful and busy, which impacts not only our personal health, but also our productivity at work.Employees who report a high degree of stress in their lives miss twice as many work days as employees who report a low amount of stress. Smart companies are now reducing their absenteeism and health-related costs by offering employees wellness benefits such as weekly yoga or mindfulness classes. There’s never been a better time to experience the magic of stress busting at a conference.
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