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. Incorporating wellness days into your program or encouraging participation in wellness group activities can strengthen team connections and create a more positive workplace culture.
Keep reading to discover how health and 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
- How Employers Can Get Started With Wellness Activities
What is a Wellness Activity?
A wellness activity is 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.
From organized wellness group activities to individual mindfulness exercises, wellness activities are tailored to promote all aspects of health.
Benefits of Wellness Activities for Employees
Engaging employees in health and 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.
A strong wellness culture shows that your company values its people. Employers who introduce consistent programs, such as wellness group activities or designated wellness days, can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
Providing incentives for participating in wellness activities can also attract top talent and encourage long-term engagement. Companies like Johnson & Johnson have seen significant cost savings and productivity gains through their wellness programs.
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 activities for wellness inspires greater participation. Whether it’s at-home mindfulness exercises, wellness group activities like team fitness challenges, or on-site events like yoga classes, there’s something for everyone.
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. Consider the following Wellness Wednesday ideas to incorporate into your employees’ weekly schedule:
- 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, 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
- Host a “Mindfulness Monday” session like group meditation
- 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 Wednesday ideas any employer can introduce:
- Lunch & learn sessions about wellness topics like nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, etc.
- Weekly (or monthly) wellness newsletters
- Market local health-related events
- Host weekly 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.
Incorporate strategies like:
- Designating specific wellness days throughout the year to focus solely on health-related initiatives.
- Rotating themes such as Wellness Wednesdays to keep employees engaged.
Designing a Wellness Program
Whether you’re just starting or enhancing an existing program, actionable steps can guide you:
- Assign a team to plan and promote activities for wellness.
- Research creative health and wellness activities, like lunchtime yoga or employee resource groups.
- Use feedback to refine your approach and build a program employees love.
To find out more about how to design a wellness program, check out our blog What is an Employee Benefits Program & 5 Easy Steps to Design One.
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. 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!
