Workplace Wellness Activities to Try This Spring

Workplace Wellness Activities to Try This Spring

Healthy employees are happier, more productive employees. And workplace wellness programs are much more than just nice perks to offer. Numerous studies have shown they significantly reduce not only health risks, but also healthcare costs.

  • According to a recently published report, 22 different studies of wellness programs showed the average ROI was 3.27. In other words, for every dollar spent on a program, an employer saved $3.27.

Make Workplace Wellness a Healthy Challenge

A great way to build wellness into your company culture is to incentivize your employees through challenges that will make your workplace a healthier place to be. Here are just a few examples:

  • Ride a bike or take a hike. Encourage employees to forego driving to work a minimum of one day a week for six to eight weeks. In addition to helping people get fit, you do your part to reduce your carbon footprint. Reward people with smaller incentives for each day they participate and bigger prizes at the end of the challenge.

Pause here: There are two important caveats to this and any other workplace wellness program you initiate: Have your employees check with their healthcare providers before starting a new exercise regime – and have an alternative in mind for those unable to take part. Also, make the rewards appropriate to the program; for instance, give gift cards to a local bike, sneaker or athletic apparel shop for your “bike or hike” challenge.

  • Step it up. If it’s feasible, challenge your employees to take the stairs versus the elevator for 30 days. Like many good health practices, this one could become permanent. Keep a chart at the top of the stairs where people can check their name – or a code number to protect confidentiality – for every day they take the stairs.
  • Consider meditation and yoga. You could offer classes in-house or provide membership discounts to local gyms or studios. Meditation and yoga foster both body and brain health. Introduce employees to apps like Headspace or Calm to get them started.
  • Participate in organized runs and walks. Especially with the onset of spring weather, it’s a great idea to get employees to participate as a team in a run or walk to benefit an area charity. In fact, let them suggest nonprofit organizations to support. Provide team shirts and plan a celebratory party afterwards. In addition to building workplace wellness, you foster collaboration, socialization and a natural sense of teamwork. For those who need help getting started, Couch to 5K is a helpful app.
  • Reap the benefits of sleep. A recent Harvard University study supported what you probably already knew: Lack of adequate sleep negatively affects a person’s judgment, mood and ability to learn and retain information, and may also increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. Challenge your employees to get at least seven hours of sleep – as per the recommendation of The Sleep Foundation – for 24 days. Yes, there are apps for that too! And you can reward people who reach their goal with cool sleep-related gadgets.

Partner with Frontline Source Group!

The workforce development experts at Frontline Source Group can help you tailor a wellness program to the unique needs of your employees and your company. Looking for a staffing agency in Phoenix, AZ? Contact us today to learn more. To find the branch closest to you, click here.

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Published on Apr 2, 2019