Integrating Yoga Break (Y-Break) into Tertiary Care Hospitals: Feasibility,Challenges and Strategic Implementation for Healthcare Workforce Well-being

Yoga Break (Y-Break) was developed to address stress, reinvigorate and re-focus to improve productivity at work by performing selected Yoga practices for a short period of time. Workplaces have traditionally focused on key occupational and safety issues while failing to address their employees’ health appropriately. It has been observed that higher stress leads to reduced productivity. Implementing Y-Break at hospital workplaces may help in reducing stress and improving mindful attention. ¹ As a result of the good outcomes, Yoga break may be implemented in the workplace to bridge this gap. Y-Break consists of the practice Tadasana—Urdhva Hastottanasana (Palm Tree Pose with Upward Stretching), Skandha Cakra (Shoulder Rotation), Uttana Mandukasana (Extended Frog Pose), Kati Cakrasana (Waist Rotation Pose), Ardha Cakrasana (Half Wheel Pose), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend), Deep Breathing, which includes Nadisodhan Pranyama and Bhramri Pranyama. This Y-Break at work can help India to achieve a perfect balance between physical and mental activities. The Ministry of AYUSH has initiated this practice and is implemented for the first time, PGIMER Chandigarh has, across more than 25 departments by established Yoga centre CCRYN-CCMBIY. ² The PGI Y-Break initiative has provided structured Yoga-based interventions across various departments at PGIMER, including the Department of Cardiology, Paediatrics, Virology, Medical Microbiology, Haematology, ENT, Pain Clinic, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Hepatology, Histopathology, Cytology, Neuroscience Research Lab, the Eye Centre, Internal Medicine, Pharmacology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Training Branch, Library, Security department, Animal House, Procurement and Bulletin Section. Y-Break is benefitting doctors, residents, nurses and technicians. Y-Breaks are highly beneficial for doctors and hospital staff, helping reduce stress, improving mental clarity, prevent burnout and improve focus. Practices (5–10 minutes) reduce cortisol, improve mental clarity and alleviate physical stiffness induced by long shifts. Breathing exercises and mindfulness help to increase concentration, decision-making and emotional resilience. Furthermore, Y-Breaks improve immunity, reduce fatigue and increase overall health. ³ Hospitals can support personnel by implementing brief Yoga sessions between patient rounds, guided breathing in resting rooms and meditation spaces. These breaks increase efficiency, minimise exhaustion and improve patient care. ⁴ Many patients and their caregivers have been waiting for appointments, surgeries and long-term treatments, leading to significant physical and emotional distress and also improving their mental resilience, physical health and overall well-being. ⁵ Patients and caregivers in various departments often endure long waiting hours for consultations, angioplasties, bypass surgeries and post-operative follow-ups. Prolonged exposure to stressful environments and sedentary waiting periods exacerbates their physical and emotional burden. The Y-Break programme is provided to doctors, healthcare professionals, researchers, staff, patients and caregivers, and it focuses on breath regulation, mindfulness and gentle stretching to combat several kinds of stress and anxiety. The Y-Break programme played a crucial role in reducing anxiety, enhancing immune function. Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) and Y-Break are also offered to caregivers in the surgical and long-term treatment waiting area. Time constraints of healthcare professionals are one of the most significant challenges to implementing Y-Break in hospitals. Healthcare workers, especially doctors, nurses and emergency personnel, work lengthy shifts with irregular schedules. Even a brief scheduled break may be insufficient in high-intensity locations such as intensive care units (ICUs) and operating theatres due to the constant demand for patient care. Hospitals are often busy environments with limited moving areas, making space constraints an additional issue. Unlike corporate workplaces, hospitals frequently lack designated wellness rooms, making it challenging to hold Yoga classes without disrupting existing medical procedures. Furthermore, practicing Yoga in patient care areas may create cleanliness and privacy concerns, limiting available practice places. Acceptance and compliance among healthcare professionals are another key problem. Many people regard Yoga as unnecessary, preferring clinical responsibilities above wellness hobbies. Personal, cultural or religious reservations may also affect involvement. To address these issues, hospitals could incorporate Y-Break into their staff wellness programmes and adapt secular sessions to specific departments for increased flexibility. Awareness campaigns and training can increase acceptance, while leadership support can boost sustainability. By addressing these hurdles, Y-Break can improve the well-being of healthcare professionals, minimise burnout and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.