Now more than ever, prioritizing employee health and encouraging participation in wellness activities is crucial for the success of any company. As wellness in the workplace becomes more prevalent, it’s clear that everyone benefits from healthier employees. The best way to enhance employees’ lives and show them their well-being matters is by offering a wellness program that integrates diverse wellness ideas and activities.
With a variety of wellness activities for employees, employers can provide opportunities for physical, mental, and emotional growth. These initiatives foster healthy behavioral habits and improve overall health.
Keep reading to discover how wellness activities can elevate your workplace. Jump to a specific topic using the links below:
Table of Contents
- What is a Wellness Activity?
- Benefits of Wellness Activities for Employees
- Importance of Leadership Support for Wellness Activities
- 35 Wellness Activities Employees Will Love
- Integrating Wellness Activities into Wellness Programs
- Designing a Wellness Program
- Managing a Wellness Program
What is a Wellness Activity?
At IncentFit, we define wellness as “a regular practice of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead someone to a state of complete well-being.” Wellness goes beyond nutrition and exercise. It’s diverse and personal.
A wellness activity is any action that supports this goal. From physical exercise to a 5-minute meditation session, wellness activities are the foundation for creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Benefits of Wellness Activities for Employees
Engaging employees in wellness activities demonstrates that their health and well-being are priorities. This investment leads to better work performance, higher morale, and lower turnover rates. Providing incentives for participating in wellness activities can also attract top talent and encourage long-term engagement. According to Harvard Business Review, Johnson & Johnson has saved around $250 million on health care costs in the last ten years due to their wellness programs. Additionally, they measured that $2.71 was returned for every dollar spent from 2002-2008.
A strong wellness culture shows that your company values its people.
Importance of Leadership Support for Wellness Activities
Leadership plays a vital role in the success of workplace wellness. When leaders actively participate in wellness activities and initiatives, employees are more likely to follow suit. According to a HERO study, organizations with engaged leaders experienced improvements in employee health and reduced medical costs.
Leaders who motivate and celebrate participation in wellness activities make programs more effective. Establishing a wellness committee to organize wellness ideas can further encourage involvement.
35 Wellness Activities Employees Will Love
Offering diverse wellness activities for employees inspires greater participation. Here are some creative wellness ideas to inspire your next wellness program:
At Home
At-home activities allow employees to prioritize wellness from the comfort of their own space. By offering practical, well-rounded options, you can help reduce stress levels and boost morale, leading to a more positive and productive workplace.
- Meditate for 5-10 minutes
- Cook healthy recipes at home
- Clean areas around the house
- Walk around the neighborhood
- Participating in virtual bodyweight fitness classes
- Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual
- Listen to a podcast
- Cook healthy recipes
- Participate in virtual fitness classes
For Remote Employees
Working from home comes with its pros and cons. Many employees enjoy the comfort and flexibility of working from their own space. However, spending all day at home can increase stress levels and significantly reduce daily human interaction, especially with coworkers. As an employer, fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes health and well-being, even in a remote setting, is essential for supporting employees’ success and overall well-being.
- Dedicate 2 meetings per week to be taken as walking meetings
- Motivate people to exercise daily (walking, running, biking, etc.) via virtual wellness challenges
- Offer nutrition advice from credible sources
- Encourage mindful movement
- Set up a weekly virtual lunch with coworkers
- Digital detox, as in encourage employees to unplug for a set period
- Set alarms or emails encouraging employees to stretch
- Offer healthy lunch stipends for employees
5 Minute Activities
Although it seems short, dedicating just 5 minutes of your day to complete a wellness activity can increase focus, improve productivity, enhance employee experience and boost morale tremendously.
According to Jamie Bacharach, Head of Practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem, these short, yet effective, activities help create a foundation for developing healthier behavioral habits. Here are some quick wellness activities employees can take part in:
- Drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning to hydrate, boost digestion, and set a healthy tone for the day
- Engage in 5 minutes of breathing exercises daily
- 5-minute stretches or deskercise
- Call a friend
- Read a nutrition/fitness/mindfulness article
- Journaling one worry and one solution
Mental Wellness Activities
Providing employees with resources that emphasize the importance of prioritizing mental health is invaluable. Balancing work and home life can often cause people to overlook their mental well-being, even though it plays a vital role in overall health and how the body functions. By fostering a workplace culture that encourages open conversations about mental health, employers can strengthen relationships among employees and with company leadership, creating a more supportive and connected environment.
- Offer creative outlets, like an origami station or puzzles in work common areas
- Gauge how employees feel and what support they need with anonymous check-in surveys
- Start each week with a “Mindfulness Monday” group mindfulness activity.
- Share short strategies for mental health improvement via email or chat on a weekly basis
- Encourage employees to prioritize sleep, such as with a sleeping challenge
In the Workplace
The workplace is where business happens, but it should also be a space that supports employee well-being. Prioritizing worksite wellness is key to enhancing the employee experience and attracting top talent. While developing an intentional corporate wellness program should be a priority, implementing wellness activities at work doesn’t have to be complex, costly, or time-intensive.
Here are some simple and effective wellness ideas any employer can introduce:
- Lunch & learn sessions about wellness topics like nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, etc.
- Monthly wellness newsletters
- Market local health-related events
- Host monthly lunches where each employees brings a healthy snack or dish
- Provide standing desks
- Offer an incentive-based rewards program that encourages employees to take part in wellness activities
- Start a book club that focuses on self-development
Integrating Wellness Activities into Wellness Programs
Wellness activities are the foundation of effective wellness programs. A successful program should offer a variety of wellness ideas that cater to all employees, ensuring inclusivity and engagement. Avoid focusing solely on one type of activity, such as fitness, to make the program accessible to everyone.
Wellness programs empower employees to engage in healthy activities that promote positive changes in their lives. For employers, this means stepping back to evaluate their current wellness efforts and determining the type of program that best suits their company’s needs.
So, where do wellness activities fit into this new model? They’re the foundation of any wellness program. To create a successful program, it’s crucial to offer a diverse range of activities, like those mentioned above, that appeal to all employees. Focusing solely on one type of activity, can alienate employees who may be less active, have health conditions, or simply prefer other types of wellness activities. After all, employees won’t participate in a program they don’t find engaging or enjoyable.
Designing a Wellness Program
To design an inclusive program that resonates with everyone, employers can assign a single person or team to lead the development of a well-rounded wellness strategy. This team can research different types of wellness programs and activities. Conduct employee wellness surveys to understand what employees value most. By prioritizing variety and inclusivity, companies can ensure their wellness program supports the well-being of every employee.
Choosing the right wellness program for your team can feel overwhelming, but with proper research and resources, it doesn’t have to be! Exploring your options will make the decision-making process easier and help you find a program that aligns with your team’s needs. Wellness programs can range from simple initiatives, like step challenges, to more robust approaches, such as rewarding employees for completing wellness activities. Incorporating incentives is especially effective, as it boosts participation and satisfaction.
Let’s dive into a few popular types of wellness programs:
Wellness Challenges
Wellness challenges are a fantastic way to promote teamwork and encourage friendly competition in the workplace. These challenges are known to improve productivity, employee engagement, and morale. Here are a few ideas:
- Steps Challenge: Encourage employees to track and increase their daily steps.
- Nutrition Challenge: Focus on eating balanced, healthy meals or trying new recipes.
- Sleep Challenge: Promote better sleep habits by tracking rest and improving sleep hygiene.
- Mindfulness Challenge: Introduce meditation, breathing exercises, or stress-reducing activities.
- Fitness Challenge: Encourage regular physical activity with workout goals or group classes.
Activity Rewards
Activity rewards programs incentivize employees to build healthy habits by rewarding them for positive behaviors. These programs encourage actions like running, walking, biking, drinking water, eating more fruits and vegetables, or getting adequate sleep. By rewarding healthy choices, these programs help employees turn small steps into long-term habits.
Fitness Reimbursements
Leading a healthy lifestyle can be costly. Gym memberships, fitness classes, workout gear, and healthy food options can quickly add up. Fitness reimbursement programs alleviate this financial burden by reimbursing employees for fitness-related expenses, such as gym memberships, classes, or even specific wellness-related purchases.
By offering diverse wellness programs, you can create a culture that supports health and well-being while making it easy for employees to participate in ways that work best for them.
How Employers Can Get Started with Wellness Activities
Starting or enhancing your wellness program is easier than you think. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your existing program, here are a few actionable steps to guide you:
- Explore tailored wellness strategies: Attend a webinar on designing workplace wellness programs to gain expert insights and actionable tips that align with your organization’s needs.
- Get informed on your options: Download our whitepaper, The Definitive Corporate Wellness Landscape, for a comprehensive overview of wellness trends, tools, and strategies.
- Leverage expert support: Consult with a benefits broker to compare top wellness vendors, identify solutions that fit your budget, and take advantage of exclusive discounts.
Small steps today can make a big difference in employee well-being tomorrow.
Managing a Wellness Program
Using a wellness vendor to manage your rewards programs is a smart way to save time and streamline the process. Vendors (like us!) provide ready-to-use platforms that handle tracking, rewards, and engagement, allowing HR teams to focus on other priorities. They also offer expert guidance to ensure programs are effective, engaging, and easy to use for employees.
With a vendor’s support, you can implement programs that reward healthy behaviors, like walking, drinking water, or eating nutritious foods, without the administrative burden of managing them in-house. This approach not only simplifies your workload but also enhances the overall success of your wellness initiatives.
Schedule a call with one of our Benefits Specialists for personalized recommendations and take the first step toward improving employee health with wellness activities for employees!