30 Holistic Wellness Activities For The Workplace

As the modern workforce increasingly demands more than just a paycheck, organizations with an emphasis on employee wellness have the upper hand when it comes to retention and recruitment in today’s competitive job market. Workplace wellness activities engage employees while nurturing the health and well-being of the workforce, whether implemented as a standalone initiative or as part of a broader corporate wellness program. This article covers what you need to know about workplace wellness activities, including 30 ideas to kickstart your employee wellness program.

What Constitutes a Wellness Activity?

Wellness activities in the workplace encompass a wide range of practices and experiences that foster well-being across multiple dimensions. These initiatives target physical, mental, social, financial, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, or environmental well-being. Many activities address several aspects of wellness; for example, a group fitness class can enhance physical, mental, and social well-being.

Why Are Wellness Activities in the Workplace Important?

Incorporating wellness activities into the workday fosters a culture of health and drives meaningful results for employees and organizations. These initiatives can deliver the following benefits:

• Enhanced employer brand: Employees are seven times more likely to recommend their organization as a great place to work if the company cares for their health and well-being.

• Reduced absenteeism: Employees who participate in wellness programs take 56% fewer sick days.

• Boosted engagement and productivity: Companies with wellness programs report a 20% increase in employee productivity.

• Lower stress and burnout levels: Employees are 73% less likely to feel burned out when their organization prioritizes their health and well-being.

• Decreased healthcare costs: Seventy-two percent of employers saw a reduction in healthcare costs after implementing wellness initiatives.

• Improved morale and job satisfaction: Eighty-nine percent of employees working for companies with wellness programs are engaged and happy with their jobs.

• Higher retention rates: When employees feel their employer cares about their health and well-being, they are 53% less likely to look for a new job.

30 Wellness Activities for the Workplace

1. Wellness Challenge: Inspire healthy behaviors and spark friendly competition among employees with a wellness challenge. From step and sleep challenges to sustainability and mindfulness themes, organizations can provide various options that encourage the adoption of healthy habits. These challenges are easy to customize and can be run virtually or in person to fit your team’s needs.

Check out Wellable’s challenge templates that support employees’ wellness!

2. Healthy Potluck: Plan a potluck where employees can share nutritious homemade dishes to promote healthy eating and foster connection. Invite employees to bring their favorite homemade dishes, ideally with a wellness-forward twist (e.g., colorful salads, plant-based proteins, globally inspired dishes). It’s a chance to share culture, discover new recipes, and build a sense of community around health.

3. Lunch & Learn: Turn lunch breaks into an opportunity to learn about a wellness topic like nutrition, exercise, mental health, or sleep, through informal, expert-led sessions. These short, engaging workshops offer employees practical tips they can apply right away while showing that wellness is valued in the workplace—without requiring extra time outside work hours.

4. Group Walk or Hike: Get team members outside, moving, and talking, which boosts mental, physical, and social well-being. These wellness activities are great opportunities to stroll and chat, and harder trails or hikes also encourage colleagues to support each other during more challenging physical activities

5. Outdoor/Walking Meeting: Take meetings outside to boost energy and engagement. Exposure to nature has been shown to enhance focus and spark creativity, especially during the preparation and brainstorming phases of a project. A walking meeting is a simple way to refresh thinking and kickstart problem-solving.

6. Volunteer: Empower employees to make a meaningful impact with a team volunteer activity. Encourage them to come together and choose a cause they’re passionate about, cultivating camaraderie, boosting morale, and igniting a shared sense of purpose.

7. Ergonomic Assessment: Demonstrate a commitment to employee health and safety by providing professional ergonomic assessments. Optimize their workstations to promote comfort, increase productivity, and prevent injuries. This boosts employee satisfaction and contributes to a more efficient workplace.

8. Therapy Animals: Create a stress-free environment by inviting therapy animals to work or encouraging team members to bring in their furry companions. Animal lovers are bound to bond during this wellness activity, and everyone can experience the positive impact of pets on mental well-being.

9. Gratitude Exercise: Foster an attitude of gratitude in the workplace by encouraging employees to share one thing they are thankful for in a group chat, at a meeting, or on a whiteboard. Embracing gratitude positively impacts mental health, promoting happiness and breaking negative thinking patterns.

10. Zen Zone: Designate a tranquil workplace “zen zone” where team members can escape the daily hustle. With comfortable seating, calming decor, and soothing music, this serene space offers the perfect area for power naps or moments of meditation, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation.

11. Mindfulness/Meditation Workshop: Organize a mindfulness and meditation workshop to equip the team with techniques to cultivate focus, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity. This helps them build resilience to navigate challenges with greater ease.

12. Stretch Breaks: Encourage team members to take breaks together and engage in a rejuvenating stretch session. This wellness activity promotes physical health, reduces muscle tension, and increases focus and productivity.

13. On-Site Chair Massages: Pamper employees with the ultimate relaxation experience through on-site chair massages. These sessions offer much-needed tension relief and a moment of bliss during the workday, recharging the mind and body.

14. Creative Expression Session: Encourage employees to explore their artistic talents and tap into the therapeutic benefits of self-expression. From painting brush strokes to shaping clay, an art class or session fosters a sense of joy, relaxation, and team bonding as colleagues create together.

15. Dialogue Space: Implement a voluntary and informal “dialogue space” meeting in which employees can openly discuss sensitive topics such as mental health, identity, and other traditionally taboo subjects. This non-judgmental environment encourages empathy and support while recognizing the importance of mental health.

16. Self-Care Events: Host a self-care session (e.g., breathwork, reflective journaling) to to provide activities that nurture the physical, mental, and intellectual well-being of your team. Offering access to these events shows genuine care for your workforce and weaves wellness into the company’s culture.

17. Mental Health First Aid Training: Equip your workforce with the knowledge and skills to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. This type of training empowers employees to provide initial support, connect others to professional help, and reduce stigma in the workplace.

18. Sports Game: Boost camaraderie and physical activity by organizing a sports game. Whether it’s a friendly soccer match, a competitive basketball game, or a lively volleyball tournament, participating in sports activities fosters a sense of unity and promotes an active lifestyle.

19. Field Day: Through a series of outdoor games and competitions, team members can boost their physical well-being. Putting together a full day of exciting activities is an excellent way to learn to collaborate as a team, and engage in friendly competition.

20. Fitness Class: Get the team moving by organizing a fitness class. Whether it’s invigorating high-intensity workouts or calming yoga sessions, these classes promote physical activity and serve as a stress reliever. Choose from on-demand videos or invite a qualified instructor to the office. 

21. Recognition Wall: Designate a wall or bulletin board where employees can write messages of recognition and appreciation for their colleagues. This simple yet impactful activity cultivates a supportive work environment and boosts employee morale and well-being. This can be modified with a recognition group chat for remote workplaces.

22. Mocktail Happy Hour: Elevate the traditional happy hour experience with a refreshing twist by hosting a mocktail hour. Provide a selection of non-alcoholic beverages crafted with fresh fruits and herbs, offering a healthier and hydrating alternative while enjoying the social aspect of a happy hour.

23. Office Oasis: Bring the benefits of nature indoors and liven up the workspace with indoor plants, which have been proven to enhance well-being, improve air quality, and boost productivity. Invite the team to help select and care for plant life to build community and shared purpose.

24. Garden: Plant a garden at the office and provide fruit and vegetable seeds for future workday snacks or mocktail hours. This hands-on activity nurtures a connection with nature, promotes sustainable practices, and encourages healthy eating habits. Tending to the garden fosters teamwork and offers a relaxing escape from daily work demands.

25. Wellness Resource Library: Equip employees with a collection of wellness resources. Provide articles, videos, and other health content that cover a range of topics, from stress management and mindfulness to nutrition and exercise. Encourage employees to take periodic breaks to explore these resources, expanding their knowledge and equipping them with valuable tools to enhance their well-being.

26. Financial Wellness Workshop: Invite financial experts to conduct an informative workshop on topics such as budgeting, savings, investment strategies, and debt management. This empowers employees to make informed decisions about their finances, reducing stress and promoting financial well-being. 

27. Micro-Breaks: Encourage employees to take short, wellness-focused breaks throughout the day that are free from equipment or screens. These quick breaks allow for activities like mobility exercises or readjusting workspaces to improve ergonomics, all without major interruption to workflow.

28. Wellness Bingo: Create a workplace wellness bingo board with different wellness activities or healthy habits. Employees can participate and mark off the activities they complete, aiming to complete a row or the entire board for rewards.

29. Book Club: Starting a company book club promotes intellectual growth while encouraging team members to connect over shared interests, fostering social well-being. Take it a step further by featuring wellness-related books!

30. Standing or Treadmill Desks: Revolutionize the way employees work by investing in standing or treadmill desks, allowing them to stand or even walk while they work. This promotes better posture and reduces sedentary behavior, enhancing physical well-being.

Conclusion

To build on the positive impact of workplace wellness activities, organizations can integrate them into a corporate wellness program. The best wellness programs go far beyond offering health insurance, gym memberships, or a salad bar in the cafeteria. An impactful program takes a holistic approach to employee health, addressing all dimensions of wellness. By incorporating a diverse range of workplace wellness activities, these programs capture a comprehensive perspective on employee well-being.

A good corporate wellness program begins with an assessment of employee needs and interests, followed by the creation of a customized program that offers a variety of resources and workplace wellness activities.

Including tailored activities that cater to diverse needs is optimal to ensure a wellness program serves all members of the workforce. This demonstrates genuine care and commitment to employee health and well-being.