Development of an integrated well-being programme for micro, small-and medium-sized enterprise workers in India: A technical note

Abhishek Karishiddimath; Priyadarshini Moharkonda

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026043

Keywords:

MSME workers

well-being

yoga

integrated intervention

holistic health

holistic well-being

Abstract

Workers in India’s micro, small- and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector often face a convergence of occupational risks, including long working hours, physical strain, economic insecurity, and limited access to health resources. Despite the sector’s critical contribution to national productivity, structured programs addressing the holistic well-being of MSME workers remain scarce. This technical note outlines the development of an integrated well-being intervention designed to enhance physical, psychological, and social health among MSME workers across diverse Indian contexts. Drawing on both indigenous and global practices, the program combines simple yoga-based movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques with Western approaches such as Jacobson’s Progressive Muscular Relaxation (JPMR). The intervention is delivered over two phases—a 21-day facilitator-led group session followed by a 21-day self-practice period to support skill development and habit formation. Designed for scalability and accessibility, the content uses culturally relevant language and experiential activities to ensure engagement in low-literacy and resource-limited settings. This note details the theoretical grounding, content structure, and delivery framework of the program, offering a practical, context-sensitive model that can be adapted for workplace well-being initiatives within the Indian MSME sector.
References
1. Borkakoti, S. K. R., & Wahid, M. A. (2019). Health problems of unorganised urban MSME workers of Nagaon, Assam. Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, 16(6).
2. Chakraborty, H., Vinay, A. V., Sindhu, R., & others. (2025). Exploring the immediate effects of Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama on heart rate variability among young adults. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-025-09710-4
3. Chatterjee, R., Banerjee, A., & Mishra, S. (2020). Mental health concerns among informal sector workers: A cross-sectional study in eastern India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 45(2), 219–223.
4. Danna, K., & Griffin, R. W. (1999). Health and well-being in the workplace: A review and synthesis of the literature. Journal of Management, 25(3), 357–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063(99)00006-9
5. Della Valle, E., Palermi, S., Aloe, I., Marcantonio, R., Spera, R., Montagnani, S., & Sirico, F. (2020). Effectiveness of workplace yoga interventions to reduce perceived stress in employees: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5020033
6. Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Tay, L. (2017). Advances in subjective well-being research. Nature Human Behaviour, 1(6), 1–16.
7. Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460
8. Engeström, Y. (1987). Learning by expanding: An activity-theoretical approach to developmental research. Helsinki, Finland: Orienta-Konsultit Oy.
9. Field, T. (2011). Yoga clinical research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.09.007
10. Gautam, S., & Jain, N. (2010). Indian culture and psychiatry. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(Suppl1), S309–S313.
11. Hartfiel, N., Havenhand, J., Khalsa, S. B. S., Clarke, G., & Krayer, A. (2011). The effectiveness of yoga for the improvement of well-being and resilience to stress in the workplace. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 37(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2916
12. Hasle, P., & Vang, J. (2021). Designing better interventions: Insights from research on decent work. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 57(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12261
13. Hasle, P., Bager, B., & Granerud, L. (2006). Small enterprises – Accountants as occupational health and safety intermediaries. Safety Science, 48, 404–409.
14. Hobfoll, S. E. (2001). The influence of culture, community, and the nested-self in the stress process: Advancing Conservation of Resources theory. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 50(3), 337–370. https://doi.org/10.1111/1464-0597.00062
15. Ireland, S. G. (2022). A study on the need for investment in employee well-being in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangalore, India.
16. Kabat-Zinn, J. (2006). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016
17. Karishiddimath, A., & Moharkonda, P. (2025). Evaluating the Multidimensional Wellbeing Intervention’s Impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Workers in Assam: A Single-Group Feasibility Study. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, (| Accepted Articles). Retrieved from https://malque.pub/ojs/index.php/msj/article/view/9762
18. Keyes, C. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539–548.
19. Khan, G. J., & Dalu, S. R. (2015). Role of small and medium enterprises in industrial development of Vidarbha region. International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences, 3(7), 78–84.
20. Koiri, P. (2020). Occupational health problems of the handloom workers: A cross-sectional study of Sualkuchi, Assam, Northeast India. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 8(4), 1264–1271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.04.025
21. Kumar, K. (2008). A study on the impact on stress and anxiety through Yoga Nidra. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 7(3), 405–409.
22. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. (2023). MSME annual report 2022–23. Government of India. https://msme.gov.in/msme-annual-report-2022-23
23. Mishra, S., Tiwari, Ś., Chauhan, A., Nayak, S., & Tiwari, M. (2022). Nada Yoga: An ancient sound therapy for health management. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 9(1)
24. Mukhopadhyay, P., & Srivastava, S. (2010). Ergonomics risk factors in some craft sectors of Jaipur. HFESA Journal, Ergonomics Australia, 24, 4–14.
25. Riley, K. E., & Park, C. L. (2015). How does yoga reduce stress? A systematic review of mechanisms of change and guide to future inquiry. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 379–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2014.981778
26. Sahoo, D., Konwar, K., & Sahoo, B. K. (2010). Health condition and health awareness among the tea garden laborers: A case study of a tea garden in Tinsukia district of Assam. IUP Journal of Agricultural Economics, 7(4).
27. Saxena, V. (2024). A review of occupational mental health status in India. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 23(1).
28. Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.
29. Sharan, P., Gallo, C., Gureje, O., Lamberte, E., Mari, J., Mazzotti, G., Patel, V., Swartz, L., Olifson, S., Levav, I., Francisco, A., & Saxena, S. (2009). Mental health research priorities in low- and middle-income countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(4), 354–363. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.050187
30. Shyam, S., & Dutt, R. (2017). Determinants of musculoskeletal disorders among small-scale textile workers: A cross sectional study. National Journal of Community Medicine, 8(10), 611–615.
31. Toussaint, L., Nguyen, Q. A., Roettger, C., Dixon, K., Offenbächer, M., Kohls, N., Hirsch, J., & Sirois, F. (2021). Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 5924040. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5924040
32. Varvogli, L., & Darviri, C. (2011). Stress management techniques: evidence-based procedures that reduce stress and promote health. Health Science Journal, 5(2), 74–89.
33. Warr, P. (1990). The measurement of well-being and other aspects of mental health. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63(3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00521.x

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Karishiddimath, A., & Moharkonda, P. (2025). Development of an integrated well-being programme for micro, small-and medium-sized enterprise workers in India: A technical note. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(1), 2026043. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026043

[1] Borkakoti, S. K. R., & Wahid, M. A. (2019). Health problems of unorganised urban MSME workers of Nagaon, Assam. Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, 16(6).

[2] Chakraborty, H., Vinay, A. V., Sindhu, R., & others. (2025). Exploring the immediate effects of Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama on heart rate variability among young adults. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-025-09710-4

[3] Chatterjee, R., Banerjee, A., & Mishra, S. (2020). Mental health concerns among informal sector workers: A cross-sectional study in eastern India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 45(2), 219–223.

[4] Danna, K., & Griffin, R. W. (1999). Health and well-being in the workplace: A review and synthesis of the literature. Journal of Management, 25(3), 357–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063(99)00006-9

[5] Della Valle, E., Palermi, S., Aloe, I., Marcantonio, R., Spera, R., Montagnani, S., & Sirico, F. (2020). Effectiveness of workplace yoga interventions to reduce perceived stress in employees: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5020033

[6] Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Tay, L. (2017). Advances in subjective well-being research. Nature Human Behaviour, 1(6), 1–16.

[7] Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460

[8] Engeström, Y. (1987). Learning by expanding: An activity-theoretical approach to developmental research. Helsinki, Finland: Orienta-Konsultit Oy.

[9] Field, T. (2011). Yoga clinical research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.09.007

[10] Gautam, S., & Jain, N. (2010). Indian culture and psychiatry. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(Suppl1), S309–S313.

[11] Hartfiel, N., Havenhand, J., Khalsa, S. B. S., Clarke, G., & Krayer, A. (2011). The effectiveness of yoga for the improvement of well-being and resilience to stress in the workplace. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 37(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2916

[12] Hasle, P., & Vang, J. (2021). Designing better interventions: Insights from research on decent work. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 57(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12261

[13] Hasle, P., Bager, B., & Granerud, L. (2006). Small enterprises – Accountants as occupational health and safety intermediaries. Safety Science, 48, 404–409.

[14] Hobfoll, S. E. (2001). The influence of culture, community, and the nested-self in the stress process: Advancing Conservation of Resources theory. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 50(3), 337–370. https://doi.org/10.1111/1464-0597.00062

[15] Ireland, S. G. (2022). A study on the need for investment in employee well-being in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangalore, India.

[16] Kabat-Zinn, J. (2006). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016

[17] Karishiddimath, A., & Moharkonda, P. (2025). Evaluating the Multidimensional Wellbeing Intervention’s Impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Workers in Assam: A Single-Group Feasibility Study. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, (| Accepted Articles). Retrieved from https://malque.pub/ojs/index.php/msj/article/view/9762

[18] Keyes, C. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539–548.

[19] Khan, G. J., & Dalu, S. R. (2015). Role of small and medium enterprises in industrial development of Vidarbha region. International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences, 3(7), 78–84.

[20] Koiri, P. (2020). Occupational health problems of the handloom workers: A cross-sectional study of Sualkuchi, Assam, Northeast India. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 8(4), 1264–1271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.04.025

[21] Kumar, K. (2008). A study on the impact on stress and anxiety through Yoga Nidra. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 7(3), 405–409.

[22] Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. (2023). MSME annual report 2022–23. Government of India. https://msme.gov.in/msme-annual-report-2022-23

[23] Mishra, S., Tiwari, Ś., Chauhan, A., Nayak, S., & Tiwari, M. (2022). Nada Yoga: An ancient sound therapy for health management. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 9(1)

[24] Mukhopadhyay, P., & Srivastava, S. (2010). Ergonomics risk factors in some craft sectors of Jaipur. HFESA Journal, Ergonomics Australia, 24, 4–14.

[25] Riley, K. E., & Park, C. L. (2015). How does yoga reduce stress? A systematic review of mechanisms of change and guide to future inquiry. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 379–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2014.981778

[26] Sahoo, D., Konwar, K., & Sahoo, B. K. (2010). Health condition and health awareness among the tea garden laborers: A case study of a tea garden in Tinsukia district of Assam. IUP Journal of Agricultural Economics, 7(4).

[27] Saxena, V. (2024). A review of occupational mental health status in India. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 23(1).

[28] Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.

[29] Sharan, P., Gallo, C., Gureje, O., Lamberte, E., Mari, J., Mazzotti, G., Patel, V., Swartz, L., Olifson, S., Levav, I., Francisco, A., & Saxena, S. (2009). Mental health research priorities in low- and middle-income countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(4), 354–363. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.050187

[30] Shyam, S., & Dutt, R. (2017). Determinants of musculoskeletal disorders among small-scale textile workers: A cross sectional study. National Journal of Community Medicine, 8(10), 611–615.

[31] Toussaint, L., Nguyen, Q. A., Roettger, C., Dixon, K., Offenbächer, M., Kohls, N., Hirsch, J., & Sirois, F. (2021). Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 5924040. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5924040

[32] Varvogli, L., & Darviri, C. (2011). Stress management techniques: evidence-based procedures that reduce stress and promote health. Health Science Journal, 5(2), 74–89.

[33] Warr, P. (1990). The measurement of well-being and other aspects of mental health. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63(3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00521.x

Abstract

References

How to cite