30 Unique Staff Wellness Activities for a Healthy, Happy Workplace

Sitting for long periods at work can have dire physical and mental health consequences. These effects can accumulate, leading to a decrease in employee morale and productivity. Staff wellness activities like seated stretches can help mitigate the impacts of prolonged sitting, allowing employees to regain control, feel energized, and improve their overall well-being. 

This guide will explore the importance of staff wellness activities for both individual employees and organizations while outlining valuable activities to help you get started.

Pliability's mobility app can help you achieve your goals by getting your staff on the right track to improving their health and well-being. The app excites your staff by gamifying mobility and encouraging them to participate in staff wellness activities.

What is a Staff Wellness Activity?

Staff wellness activities are programs, practices, or initiatives that promote employees' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They aim to reduce stress, foster a positive work environment, enhance morale, and boost productivity. Examples include mindfulness workshops, fitness challenges, and stress management sessions. Incorporating these activities into the workplace benefits both employees and employers. 

Benefits of Wellness Activities in the Workplace

Wellness activities in the workplace play a crucial role in promoting the overall health and happiness of employees. In today’s fast-paced and often stressful work environments, employees face various physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Incorporating wellness activities into the workplace allows employees to address these challenges, reduce stress, and improve their well-being. 

How Do Staff Wellness Activities Impact Business Operations?

Workplace wellness activities can have a positive impact on organizational performance and success. Healthy and happy employees are more engaged, productive, and satisfied, improving morale and retention rates. Additionally, wellness activities can help reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs for employers by promoting preventive health behaviors and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. 

What's the Bottom Line? 

Overall, investing in wellness activities in the workplace is a win-win proposition for both employees and employers. Organizations can foster a culture of health and resilience that contributes to individual and organizational success by creating a supportive environment that prioritizes employee well-being.

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30 Unique Staff Wellness Activities for a Healthy Workplace

1. Find Out What Flexible Working Means. 

It is not precisely an out-of-the-box wellness idea, but arguably one of the most impactful well-being policies you can introduce. Many organizations were warming to flexible and hybrid working before the pandemic, so it may already be the norm in your culture. But if it isn’t, here’s your chance to make a meaningful change in your employees’ lives. Not to mention, more and more candidates are only considering companies with flexible working policies. So, if you don't have one, think of this as a friendly reminder to start.

2. Digital Wellbeing Platforms: A Game Changer for Employee Health 

In the past, wellbeing perks were limited to subsidized gym memberships and maybe discounts at local sports stores. But with the rise in online shopping, streaming, and wellbeing webinars, employers now offer more digital resources—including wellbeing platforms. Well-being platforms are among the most cost-effective well-being resources because they do many things. 

Employees can participate in workouts, relax with meditations, and even listen to health webinars from an app. Perkbox takes workplace wellness seriously, so we partnered with well-being experts to deliver the best health content from web and mobile apps. When you use our global solution, your teams automatically benefit from various physical and mental health resources, including videos, webinars, meditations, and more.

3. A Device-Free Break Room: An Instant Stress Reliever 

We all spend too much time on screens. Primarily if we work in an office. During our breaks, we swap our monitors for phones. However, creating a separate space to encourage employees to switch off their devices and spend 10–15 minutes without digital distractions has many benefits. How about leaving a pack of cards, books, and magazines there? You’d be surprised at how quickly people adjust and put down their phones when given the opportunity. If you don't have the space to create a separate break room, sectioning off an area with a screen and set of chairs should work just as well. But remember that resisting the urge to pick up a phone will be more problematic!

4. Outdoor Meetings — Weather Permitting 

We’ll be honest: this is probably a better idea in the spring and summer when the weather is more pleasant and predictable. Still, taking meetings outdoors for just a few months of the year provides a much-needed boost to your teams’ mental and physical well-being. Being out in the fresh air alone reduces stress levels, which is excellent if you want your attendees to be fully engaged and present during your meeting. 

Of course, some meetings work better outdoors than others, such as one-to-ones and small team catch-ups. But, if you need to present, many venues hire out their rooftop gardens for corporate events — big and small. So don’t discard this idea if your meeting requires additional tech equipment. Depending on the venue, some also stock their projectors and screens, so you only need to bring a laptop.

5. Weekly Wellness Newsletter: Keeping Employees in the Loop 

Making workplace wellness a priority begins with small steps. The first action could be creating a weekly well-being newsletter with valuable information and links to internal and external resources. You can start with a mindfulness quote or include a fun health fact. Either way, gathering data on the type and length of content your employees value will steer you in the right direction. 

Consider linking to a webinar if you’ve invested in mental and physical well-being resources. If financial well-being is a focus, connecting to a small talk on pension advice or debt management is a great idea. Or, if mental well-being is a priority, showcase the most popular meditations and yoga flows on your well-being app. This type of content strategy is a win-win, as you prioritize well-being and promote your well-being platform, increasing the ROI of your wellness programs.

With Perkbox, you can keep your company updated and comms in one easy-to-find place. Reach your employees with engaging visual cards no matter where they’re based—down the road or across the globe. Shout about your ideas for well-being and link to your employees' favorite workouts.

6. Walking, or Wellness Wednesday 

Sophisticated wellness programs are great at making wellness activities more accessible, as they contain everything employees need to stay happy and healthy. But carving out time in the day for people to practice small healthy habits like a lunchtime walk has additional value. We suggested Wednesday as it’s the middle of the week—when most people will likely be in the office. But if other days work better for you, go with them. Either way, encourage employees to get that all-important exercise during the working week!

7. Wellbeing Rewards and Fun Fitness Challenges 

Incentives are powerful motivators and are the go-to solution for encouraging employees to behave in a way that aligns with your culture and values. So why not include them in your well-being strategy? How about giving away a voucher to the first employee to hit 100,000 steps? Or host a healthy cooking competition? Luckily, when you choose Perkbox, you get functionality that includes polls and rewards. 

Get people to vote on what challenges they want to see, then reward the winners with Reward points after the competitions. The more points an employee has, the bigger the reward they can claim. And, because of our global rewards, you can also involve international offices. But if you want to embed well-being into your culture, make it a value on the Perkbox app — which your employees can tag when they send each other recognition for hitting their well-being milestones.

8. Onsite Massage 

In addition to relieving tension, massage therapy has excellent mental health benefits and can reduce stress. Now, there are many approaches to hiring a masseuse for a day. A masseuse may be part of a gym or wellness facility linked with your organization or offer their services as a self-employed contractor. If they are a contractor, your employees could pay out of their pocket for a massage, or you could offer it as part of a health cash-back plan. 

9. Personal Development Courses — With a Twist 

Usually, we associate well-being with physical activity, mindfulness, and eating healthy foods. But there are so many facets of well-being that aren’t immediately obvious, and development is one of them. Mastering a particular skill or simply growing in confidence through training greatly impacts employee mental well-being. Out-of-the-box development courses include: 

Stand-up comedy and improv

To master public speaking. Storytelling workshops: To improve communication. 

Laughter yoga (Hasya Yoga)

Realizing the potential of breathwork during times of stress. When people apply their newly learned knowledge, they feel fulfilled and are motivated to go above and beyond. This not only increases employee happiness but also productivity.

10. Wellness Day or Health Fair 

The good thing about wellness days is that there are no rules. What you focus on is entirely up to you. Some organizations prioritize nutrition to encourage their employees to make healthier food choices. Others want to improve employee health through physical activity, so focus on keeping everyone active. Whatever you want your corporate wellness day to be, ensure your events align with your well-being goals. If they aren’t, you risk the day appearing unstructured.

11. Sit to Standing Desks 

Allowing your employees to work from a seated or standing position means they can stretch and move their legs while working. These actions increase physical activity and blood flow to the brain, boosting focus and productivity. We all know being sedentary for hours is unsuitable for our mental and physical health. Consequently, alternating how our employees — or we work, have numerous health-protecting qualities that shouldn’t be overlooked.

12. Wellbeing Recreational Room 

Dedicating a space to well-being where people can listen to meditations or even participate in virtual fitness classes increases your employees’ health awareness. Of course, we understand that office space is precious, but if you have a spare room, consider converting it into a mini wellness center. Your employees likely have hectic personal lives, so giving them space to work on their health goals in the office will significantly benefit them.

13. Smoothie Day – or Week in Canteen 

Getting enough fruit and veg into our diets can be challenging. We’re constantly on the go, and convenience foods require little thought. And cooking from scratch after a day’s work is sadly often at the bottom of our mental to-do list! However, offering smoothies throughout the week — or for one day- may encourage people to consume more whole foods instead of processed alternatives. However, not all smoothies are equal. Some are very high in sugar, especially if they contain a high volume of concentrated fruit juice instead of water or ice. So keep this in mind when making or borrowing smoothie recipes.

14. Ergonomic Desk Check-Ups 

Correcting postural issues sooner rather than later helps prevent absences relating to back pain, neck pain, and even headaches. It’s good to consider ergonomic desk check-ups and mini health risk assessments. After all, poor posture over time can result in physical injury if left uncorrected. That said, it’s not just desks that need checking. Good corporate wellness programs include the time and resources to analyze and improve the working environment. Chairs should be fully adjustable to accommodate a range of heights — the same goes for monitors, too. Plus, wrist rests should be included with keyboards to minimize the risk of repetitive strain injury.

15. Mindful Coffee Breaks 

Equip the potential of mindfulness during a tea or coffee break. Coffee meditation is a grounding exercise that helps reduce stress by keeping employees in the present. To get your teams on board with the idea, we recommend telling them about the benefits of coffee meditation and how to do it. The most challenging part of this exercise is resisting the temptation of phone checking, but other than that, it's straightforward. They must pay attention to the coffee aroma while observing the colors and savoring its taste. This increased awareness makes preparing tea or coffee an exercise in meditation.

16. Virtual Pilates and Yoga Classes in the Office 

We’re all swamped these days, and taking care of our health is increasingly difficult as our office and home responsibilities grow. However, making exercise more accessible, from a pricing or availability perspective, can encourage us to get moving and think about our health. Offering virtual and on-demand classes as part of your employee wellness program opens up a range of well-being possibilities for everyone. Plus, our well-being platform includes a range of pilates and yoga classes that all team members will enjoy. You could play a yoga class during lunch if you have a dedicated well-being space.

17. Try Something New 

There are plenty of mind-body benefits of trying a new skill. Besides increasing motivation, picking up a new hobby also boosts confidence and happiness. However, inspiring your employees to do this doesn’t need to be complicated. Naturally, some suggestions will resonate with some people more than others, but don’t let this put you off. Communicating the benefits of hobbies bi-weekly or just once a month could make a real difference in your employees’ lives. 

After all, there’s more to life than working. Plus, helping them find an activity they can enjoy outside of office hours benefits company culture, too. A holistic discounts and perks package includes deals on days out, immersive experiences, and creative workshops. Additionally, showcasing these savings in your comms makes trying something new more affordable while also increasing the usage of your employee experience solution.

18. Corporate Discounts on Healthy Products 

Healthy employees are happy, which is great for employee engagement and other experiences. By supporting healthy eating, for example, with discounts on nutritious foods, you’re making it easier for them to make healthier decisions. But as we all know, healthy living is complex and multifaceted. What motivates one person to take care of their health differs from another. 

For this reason, your discount scheme needs to be comprehensive and target multiple well-being elements. Fortunately, with Perkbox, you not only get access to a wellbeing platform but also a global perks and benefits package. With 1,000s of discounts across a broad range of categories, including health and beauty, your employees can save money on their wellbeing spending all year round.

19. Source Healthy Snacks Sustainably 

When building healthy eating habits in the workplace, be the change you want to see. In other words, you can model the behaviors in which your employees want to engage. If healthy eating is an integral part of your well-being strategy, introduce a more excellent range of healthy snacks in the office. While everyone knows about the health benefits of eating more whole foods, the sustainability wins aren’t as widely known, especially concerning reducing food waste. If sustainability and well-being are core values, consider producing subscription boxes that rescue fruit and veg that otherwise would have been wasted.

20. Laughter: The Best Medicine for Employee Health 

When people say laughter is the best medicine, they aren't entirely wrong. Laughter boosts blood oxygen levels and increases endorphins — hormones that make us happy. So, it’s not surprising that laughing at work boosts office morale and protects us against workplace stress. Employing a full-time office comedian is out of the question. But looking into comedy workshops is a more realistic option. If you’re lucky to have comedy clubs nearby, consider integrating trips to them into your people and employee wellness strategy. After all, those who laugh together, stay together — or in business speak, work more effectively as a team.

21. Free Flu Vaccinations 

In 2021, the UK sickness absence rate increased to 2.2% from a very low 1.8% in 2020.2 Common illnesses for taking time off included flu. Giving your employees flu vaccines can reduce their risk of developing severe flu symptoms, preventing prolonged absences. Some employees may already be entitled to free flu vaccines on the NHS. Usually, this is because they are above a certain age or have an underlying health condition. Nevertheless, it’s also essential that those who aren’t entitled can receive a flu vaccine should they want one.

22. Sleep Health Initiatives 

Emphasizing the significance of sleep must be balanced when fostering a thriving workplace. According to the World Health Organization, it's an adaptable driver of health that contributes to a healthy, positive, and well-being-filled work environment. As the McKinsey Health Institute points out, factors such as quality sleep play a crucial role in adding years to life and improving life quality, which are often overlooked by traditional healthcare. With adults spending a substantial portion of their lives at work, it is incumbent upon employers to support their team's restorative rest. To address this, consider creating a sanctuary for relaxation at work by setting up comfortable nap areas, which can serve as a refuge for employees seeking tranquility amidst their busy schedules. 

Educational resources on sleep hygiene could be offered to educate employees about how to enhance their sleep quality. Moreover, workshops on sleep improvement can provide practical tips and foster a culture where rest is respected as a pillar of workplace wellness. By investing in sleep health initiatives, businesses are not merely enhancing individual well-being but are also tapping into an economic opportunity. Optimizing employee health could raise global GDP by 4 to 12 percent.

Initiating such programs is more than a humanitarian act; it's a strategic move that could increase productivity and talent retention. After all, employees who manage their health effectively are less likely to leave and more likely to perform at their best, as noted by McKinsey research. So, by promoting better sleep habits, companies can contribute to a more vibrant, energetic, and effective workforce, laying the groundwork for a healthier, more prosperous future.

23. Employee Assistance Programs 

Enrich your organization's support system with a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a pivotal resource for fostering employee well-being. EAPs are adept at offering professional help across many areas, such as mental health support, financial advice, and enhancing work-life harmony. These programs are not merely a lifeline for mental health concerns like depression and anxiety but extend their reach to assist with physical health initiatives, including gym memberships and smoking cessation programs. 

Moreover, EAPs cater to personal matters, providing guidance on family and relationship issues, which may encompass divorce, adoption, and care for children or elderly family members. Integrating such programs is a crucial step in an organization's commitment to its workforce's holistic health, mirroring the broader industry trend of companies amplifying employee well-being efforts in response to a changing workforce landscape. However, while EAPs traditionally serve as the initial point of contact for employee support, challenges such as low engagement, limited options for care, and questions about efficacy have led some businesses to seek out or incorporate additional, more impactful wellness solutions. 

For instance, recent studies have highlighted that, apart from opportunities to engage in charity or volunteer work, many conventional wellness interventions did not significantly boost employee well-being compared to non-participants. In light of this, it's crucial to thoroughly assess your employees' specific needs and explore EAP providers that align with your organizational culture and objectives. By doing so, you can ensure that the chosen EAP not only addresses the unique challenges faced by your workforce but also complements other wellness initiatives to cultivate a more robust, supportive environment for your employees.

24. Water Drinking Challenge 

The water drinking challenge is among the most beneficial online wellness challenge ideas. Work-from-home employees are only a few steps away from the kitchen. Plus, no coworkers are around to judge folks for taking a dozen bathroom breaks a day. Nevertheless, employees might need to drink more water. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, adults should aim to drink an average of eight cups of water daily. To ensure your virtual employees stay hydrated, launch a water-drinking challenge. You can create a dedicated Slack channel and message channel members to take drinks periodically throughout the day. You could also order tracker water bottles for employees and challenge them to upload pictures of their empty canteens.

6 Unique Wellness Activities for Remote Employees 

Some of the employee wellness ideas in the previous section can be adapted to accommodate remote employees. But here, we specifically list the best wellness activities for employees who don’t work in a traditional office. 

25. On-Demand Fitness 

Not working in an office comes with its own unique set of wellbeing challenges. For example, staying in one spot for hours on end is easy when working from home. Gone are the team tea breaks, and nobody talks about what they’re doing for lunch. But if your remote teams have access to on-demand fitness classes, they can choose a workout and get moving from the comfort of their own home. Moreover, giving your teams the resources to make more active choices shows their health is your priority.

26. Stress Management Workshops 

To alleviate stress in the workplace, begin by checking your employees’ workloads and role requirements. Once this is done, you can attend stress management workshops to increase employee resilience. Unfortunately, stress management courses aren’t a silver bullet for reducing burnout if departments struggle. This is why you try to remedy any sources of stress first. Many stress management therapists offer courses over video calls, making them ideal for remote employees. A typical structure includes learning mindfulness techniques, followed by an exercise. Please keep in mind that workshops vary depending on the practitioner’s style.

27. Healthy Subscription Boxes 

Fruit bowls are a staple in many offices. But with the work-from-home revolution, some of your newly remote employees could miss out on their five a day. Sending a small fruit box to their home once a week is a nice touch to show you’re thinking of them despite not being based in the office. There are unique wellness boxes for more special occasions or if you’re celebrating wellness day. The items a wellness box contains relate to a theme, and given how popular they are, you have plenty to choose from. Popular well-being boxes include items for yoga, running, and even hiking. But if you want a personal touch, you can build your own.  

28. Global Discounts and Reward Points to Support Healthy Habits 

Offering your remote teams a competitive selection of wellbeing discounts and perks is one of the best investments in their health you can make. With Perkbox, your employees can save money daily on healthy food shops, gym memberships, and activewear. Plus, with an allowance of Flexi points each month, they can unlock premium well-being content at no cost. Moreover, because the platform uses a points-based rewards feature, your employees can spend Rewards on a range of well-being products and experiences. Employees receive points from managers — who can send them with or without a recognition message. 

29. 4 PM Friday Virtual Socials and Pop-Up Teleparties 

Friday night drinks and mid-week lunches are something employees look forward to and miss when they work from home. But, putting time aside for everyone to catch up in an informal video call is the next best thing to get everyone back together and socializing. We suggested Fridays at 4 pm, but if people want to get away swiftly, they should choose another day of the week. You could hold a quiz or workshop to make the socials more interesting. If you have any artists among your teams, how about asking them to give tips on drawing? You could also stream a film and send your employees a popcorn box to create cinema night. 

30. Healthy Living Credits 

Healthy Living Credits is a program teambuilding.com uses to help remote staff practice self-care. Each month, staff members can spend up to $100 on services such as gym memberships, house cleaning, or salons. Employees submit receipts and receive reimbursements for expenditures. Teambuilding.com gives the staff guidance on what they can spend the credits on and leaves choices to employee discretion. Employees are more likely to benefit from the gesture because they can put the credit towards a preferred service. Plus, the regularity of the perk encourages employees to maintain healthy habits.

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