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Get StartedWhen you think of employee wellness, it’s easy to assume it’s all about physical health or fitness. But in today’s world, wellness programs take a holistic approach. This doesn't just mean promoting healthy habits, but also supporting mental health, financial wellness programs, and a healthy work-life balance.
You might wonder why wellness activities are necessary at any event. There's no doubt that the world has changed dramatically after the pandemic and wellness is more of a focus than it was a few years ago. In almost every organization, wellness and activities around it are incorporated into events.
Incorporating wellness into your events isn’t just a trend—it’s a smart investment. Companies that offer wellness programs see a 6:1 return on investment (ROI) by boosting productivity, lowering absenteeism, and cutting healthcare costs.
Plus, the wellness tourism market is booming, with a value of $1.03 trillion, reflecting the growing demand for health-focused experiences. Attendees and team members alike benefit, with 91% of employees feeling more motivated in companies that prioritize wellness. When it comes to the event industry, wellness activities are a win-win for engagement, satisfaction, and overall well-being.
Wellness activities offer a ton of long-lasting benefits. First and foremost, they foster a culture where employee wellbeing is at the forefront. Whether you have in-house teams or remote employees, wellness programs can have a positive impact on employee satisfaction, help with stress reduction, and ultimately lower employee turnover. Plus, by encouraging healthy behaviors, you’ll see improvements in physical health and productivity.
Ultimately, wellness activities are the perfect way to show employees you care about their well-being:
There's little doubt, the more diverse and engaging your activities are, the more they can spark joy, encourage participation, and energize and revitalize your team. But where do you begin? With so many options, choosing the right wellness activities can be daunting.
That's where we come in! The 35 wellness activities below cover every conceivable wellness angle. Moreover, while they're chiefly aimed at employee wellness, they can be easily tailored to your event attendees (with a little tweaking).
Let's dive into our 35 wellness activities examples!
Start the day with a guided mindfulness session. Focusing on deep breathing, relaxation, and setting intentions is a great way to reduce workplace stress. A professional instructor can help participants center their thoughts, promoting mental health support, and stress relief.
Tip: Encourage comfortable seating and a quiet space. Mindfulness apps or soft background music can enhance the experience.
Organize a short yoga session led by a certified instructor. Yoga helps combat a sedentary lifestyles, improves flexibility, and promotes regular physical activity.
Tip: Provide yoga mats and modify intensity based on participants’ fitness levels.
Help your team create healthy habits by setting up a smoothie station with fresh fruits, greens, and superfoods. This boosts employee engagement and is a fun way to promote healthy eating.
Tip: Include recipes and plant-based options for variety!
Help your team unwind with quick, on-site chair massages. This wellness treat can significantly reduce blood pressure and help relieve tense muscles from desk work.
Tip: Book a certified massage therapist for optimal relaxation.
Encourage your team to jot down things they’re grateful for. This simple exercise can foster a positive work environment and reduce stress levels.
Tip: Provide journals or gratitude cards and a peaceful, reflective space.
Organize a friendly competition with a step challenge to encourage physical movement. You can incorporate fitness trackers or mobile apps to track everyone’s progress. It’s a great way to get people moving and foster a sense of teamwork.
Tip: Reward top performers with gift cards or other fun incentives.
Invite a financial advisor to offer financial advice and budgeting tips. Addressing financial stress can have a direct impact on employee wellbeing and mental health.
Tip: Tailor the session to different life stages—whether saving for a home or planning for retirement.
Team up with a local chef to host a healthy cooking class. Learning to prepare nutritious meals is a fun way to promote healthy lifestyles and help employees incorporate healthy eating into their routines.
Tip: Focus on easy recipes that use local ingredients and cater to various dietary preferences.
Offer health screenings for common concerns like blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI. This gives employees a convenient way to stay on top of their health.
Tip: Partner with healthcare providers for an informative and stress-free experience.
Break away from the office setting with a group nature walk. This activity promotes regular physical activity, reduces workplace stress, and reconnects your team with nature.
Tip: Pick a scenic route and encourage mindful observation during the walk to enhance the stress reduction effect.
Bring your team together for a group meditation session. This communal activity supports mental health while fostering team unity.
Tip: Set the scene with comfortable seating, calming music, and soft lighting.
Prevent the aches and pains of desk work by offering ergonomic assessments. Ensure employees’ workstations are set up to reduce musculoskeletal stress and improve comfort.
Tip: Provide adjustable chairs and desks to support proper posture.
Start a book club where team members can discuss wellness or personal development books. It’s a fun way to enhance employee engagement while promoting a healthy lifestyle through learning.
Tip: Select books that focus on wellness or motivational topics and meet monthly to discuss key takeaways.
Bring some joy to the workplace with a laughter yoga session. Combining playful exercises with breathing techniques, this activity reduces tension and boosts mood.
Tip: Encourage participants to let loose and enjoy the positive energy!
Sometimes, the best wellness initiative is giving employees flexibility. Allowing for flexible work arrangements gives employees more control over their personal life and work schedules, ultimately reducing workplace stress.
Tip: Encourage team members to take breaks during the end of the day or schedule their work around peak productivity times.
Bring in virtual reality headsets with relaxation apps. Employees can enjoy a brief escape to a calming virtual environment, like a beach or forest, helping them manage workplace stress.
Tip: Ensure employees rotate and schedule short sessions to experience the VR relaxation without taking too much time away from work.
Reimburse employees for attending fitness classes or signing up for a gym membership. This can encourage more regular exercise and support healthy lifestyles.
Tip: Provide a monthly or quarterly reimbursement cap to incentivize consistent participation.
Host an outdoor Tai Chi session, an ancient martial art known for its gentle movements and meditative qualities. It’s perfect for reducing stress levels and improving mental focus while providing physical health benefits.
Tip: Choose a quiet outdoor location like a nearby park for maximum serenity.
One of the most inspiring group wellness activities, a creative writing session allows your team to express their thoughts and emotions in writing. Writing can be a therapeutic activity and a great way to foster self-expression and mental health support.
Tip: Encourage participants to share their writings if they feel comfortable or keep the session private for introspection.
Plan an outdoor adventure, like a group hike, rock climbing, or paddleboarding. These activities encourage physical health, improve teamwork, and provide an exciting break from the office routine.
Tip: Choose an activity that accommodates various fitness levels to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy the day.
Create a space for indoor plants or outdoor gardening activities. Gardening promotes mental health, reduces stress, and improves the workspace atmosphere.
Tip: Start with easy-to-maintain plants and encourage team members to personalize their plant choices.
Set up an aromatherapy station with essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus. Aromatherapy is known to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Tip: Provide instructions on how to use essential oils safely and offer portable diffusers for use at desks.
Host workshops that focus on mindful eating habits, teaching employees how to slow down and enjoy their meals, which supports better digestion and overall employee health.
Tip: Partner with a nutritionist to provide expert advice and sample menus.
At the end of the workweek, gather employees to share something they are grateful for. This fosters a sense of community and contributes to employee wellbeing.
Tip: Create a relaxed, non-judgmental environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing.
Encourage your team to participate in volunteer work. Volunteering promotes employee engagement, fosters teamwork, and allows employees to give back to their community.
Tip: Choose causes that align with your company’s values and offer a variety of volunteer opportunities.
Incorporate regular stretch breaks throughout the workday. Stretching improves posture, reduces muscle tension, and boosts energy levels.
Tip: Encourage employees to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes to break up long periods of sitting.
Create a library of books, articles, and resources on wellness topics like healthy habits, mental health, and fitness. This gives employees access to valuable wellness information.
Tip: Include a variety of formats like books, podcasts, and articles to accommodate different learning styles.
Organize healthy cooking competitions where employees create nutritious meals. This is a fun way to promote healthy eating and foster teamwork.
Tip: Offer small prizes for categories like “best presentation” or “most creative use of ingredients.”
Provide employees with subscriptions to meditation apps. These apps guide them through relaxation and mindfulness techniques that support mental health.
Tip: Encourage employees to use the app during breaks or at home for additional stress reduction.
Allow employees to collaborate on an art mural in the office. Creative expression can reduce stress and boost employee engagement.
Tip: Provide art supplies and designate a space for the mural where everyone can contribute.
Host 5-minute dance breaks to fun, upbeat music. It’s an excellent way to get people moving, improve mood, and reduce workplace tension.
Tip: Incorporate these into virtual meetings for remote employees as well!
Set up a book swap where employees can exchange personal development or wellness-related books. This encourages reading and shared learning experiences.
Tip: Create a cozy space where employees can leave and pick up books to promote ongoing participation.
Help employees set personal wellness goals and track their progress. Whether it’s fitness, mindfulness, or nutrition, setting goals can lead to lasting positive change.
Tip: Provide planners or apps to help employees stay on track and offer recognition for milestones achieved.
Start a hiking club where employees can explore local trails together. This promotes regular physical activity while fostering camaraderie.
Tip: Plan hikes that accommodate all fitness levels to ensure maximum participation.
Set up a healthy snack bar stocked with nutritious options like fruits, nuts, and granola bars. This encourages healthy habits and keeps energy levels high throughout the day.
Tip: Rotate snack options regularly to keep things exciting and accommodate dietary preferences.
Now that you have a treasure of wellness activities, remember these key points for successful implementation:
By incorporating these tips and exploring the suggested activities, you can transform your corporate events.
More than just ticking a box, or generating immediate ROI, integrating wellness into your workplace is about going the extra mile to ensure your team members thrive. Whether through gym memberships, health education, or sustainable practices, there are countless ways to create a positive work environment. By investing in wellness, you're ensuring a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.