Nearly half of Americans (48%) made improving their physical fitness a top priority for 2024 (Davis, 2023). Since we spend a significant part of our week at work, the workplace is a fantastic environment to support and enhance wellness goals. Health and wellness activities benefit employees at work and at home by improving physical, mental, emotional, and financial health. They also benefit employers by boosting employee morale, productivity, and retention while reducing healthcare costs (Aldana, 2024). Here are some wellness ideas to help you and your team stay on track.

January – Stay Hydrated

After the festive drinks of the holiday season, January is a great time to focus on hydration. Encourage employees to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. Kick off the new year by providing new water bottles and challenging employees to drink at least 32 ounces of water during work hours.

February – Stay Rested

Getting sufficient sleep is essential for overall health and productivity. It reduces the risk of disease and keeps you alert at work, preventing accidents or loss of productivity on the job. Share resources from the CDC on the importance of sleep and challenge employees to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 

March – Learn Something New

Mental stimulation enhances employee wellness. Offer employees the opportunity to take a course in an area of interest. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of professional development courses. If you can, offer some sort of recognition or reward to employees who complete a course during the month.

April – Get Active

The weather is warming up, so your muscles should be, too. Organize a lunchtime walk or start a company sports team. Encourage employees to be active for at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week, whether it's walking during lunch or playing at the park with family.

May – Be Mindful

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Promote mindfulness and mental health by creating a kind and safe work environment. Invite a mental health professional to talk to your employees and give them positive strategies for resilience and stress management. 

June – Cook More

Eating home-cooked food is not only better for you, it also saves money. Host a cooking challenge where employees pack lunches every day for two weeks. Having nutritious food at midday will help employees have the energy they need to power through the remainder of their work day. Share healthy recipes and consider a potluck event where employees can share their favorite dishes.

July – Get Outside

July is National Parks & Recreation Month, making it an ideal time to encourage employees to enjoy the great outdoors. Spending time in nature can significantly boost physical and mental health. Organize an outdoor company picnic or barbecue at a local park. Challenge employees to visit a park at least once this month, either individually or with colleagues, to soak up the summer and enjoy some physical activity in a natural setting.

August – Help Others

Volunteering and helping others can foster a sense of community and boost morale. Plan a volunteer day where employees can work together on a community project. You could also organize a food drive and donate to a local food pantry. Engaging in these activities not only helps those in need but also strengthens team bonds and enhances emotional well-being.

September – Financial Fitness

Empowering employees with financial knowledge can lead to improved financial health and reduced stress. Host a seminar to help employees better understand financial planning and available resources. Partner with HR to provide insights on financial planning options and encourage one-on-one meetings to address specific financial questions. 

October – “Walk-tober”

Encourage your employees to embrace the crisp autumn air and boost their daily movement with a Walk-tober Challenge. Sitting for longer hours contributes to chronic diseases and causes physical discomfort to the lower back, neck, and shoulders. Challenge your employees to log at least 30 miles throughout the month and enter participants into a drawing for a fun prize (Luna, 2024).

November – Be Grateful

Host a gratitude challenge and encourage employees to write down five things they are thankful for each day. Set aside a day for employees to write kind messages to colleagues, thanking them for their contributions. Cultivating gratitude can improve mental health and create a positive work environment.

December – Be Relaxed

As the holiday season approaches, stress levels can rise. Encourage employees to engage in daily stretching or deep breathing exercises to help manage stress. Host an event where employees can receive complimentary chair massages to alleviate tension from desk work. Promoting relaxation can help employees stay productive and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

When properly implemented, these activities can change lives by improving health and reducing healthcare costs. Incorporate these ideas into your workplace to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of your employees. Here's to a healthy and productive year! 

References

Aldana, S. (2024, June 17). 28 Corporate Wellness Ideas and Activities for 2024. WellSteps.
https://www.wellsteps.com/blog/2020/01/02/corporate-wellness-ideas-wellness-activities-wellness-initiatives/

Davis, S. (2023, December 18). New Year’s Resolutions Statistics 2024. Forbes Health. 
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/

Luna, S. (2024, June 20). 37 Mindful Wellness Activities to Find Your Center in 2024. Classpop.
https://www.classpop.com/magazine/wellness-activities