Harmony At Work | Riley Radosavich

Harmony at Work: Harnessing the Yerkes-Dodson Curve for Office Wellness

Posted by Riley Radosavich on Thursday, April 4th 2024

Holistic wellbeing is being prioritized by mainstream United States companies. A 2023 survey by the McKinsey Health Institute reported that employees who had positive work experiences expressed better holistic health, are more engaged at work, and have improved their job performance. Companies are discovering the unique benefits that arise from providing resources for their employees. Although articles talk about the benefits of companies proactively supporting work experiences, most fail to provide enough context surrounding the psychology of why it matters.

Defining Holistic Practices

Holistic health is an approach to wellness that addresses physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components. By companies engaging in practices focused on a holistic approach, leaders are able to mitigate modern challenges more effectively. Employees are more happier, more productive, and more passionate about the work that they put into the company. Companies are hoping to have a high return on investment as they provide more resources that focus on prioritizing the holistic wellbeing of each employee.

The Yerkes-Dodson Curve

The Yerkes-Dodson curve shows the relationship between stress and performance. The bell curve supports that one reaches their peak level of performance with a moderate amount of stress. Not enough or too much stress results in poorer performance. Being a well-cited and established theory, this curve is often referenced in cognitive behavioral therapy. The intent is to help clients identify where they encounter distress and assist in finding combative measures.

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Holistic Practices Focus On The Curve

Companies are allowing employees to focus on the factors that impact their performance. Establishing holistic practices in the workplace opens the possibilities for self-discovery. With a company culture welcoming holistic measures, employees are much more likely to identify triggers that alter their work performance. In doing so, employees are able to adapt and train themselves to conquer more demanding workplace tasks. Holistic wellbeing should be considered more in the strategic planning process of companies.