50 Wellness Activities: What Are They, Why Are They Important, and Examples

Types of Wellness Activities

Physical Wellness

1. Exercise: Activities such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, yoga, and strength training.
2. Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and practicing healthy eating habits and mindful eating.
3. Sleep: Establishing a consistent sleep routine, ensuring quality sleep, and creating a restful environment.
4. Hygiene: Maintaining personal cleanliness and practicing good grooming habits.
5. Preventive Healthcare: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and health screenings.

Mental Health Wellness

These activities are designed to support and enhance employees' mental wellbeing, helping to reduce stress, foster a supportive culture, and improve overall productivity.

1. Meditation: Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and guided meditation.
2. Stress Management: Techniques such as time management, relaxation exercises, and setting boundaries.
3. Continuous Learning: Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading, puzzles, and educational courses.
4. Therapy: Counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other forms of professional mental health support.

Emotional Wellness

1. Self-Reflection: Journaling, introspection, and mindfulness practices.
2. Positive Affirmations: Using positive self-talk and affirmations to build self-esteem.
3. Gratitude Practices: Keeping a gratitude journal and expressing thanks regularly.
4. Emotional Regulation: Techniques to manage and express emotions healthily.
5. Self-Awareness: Developing self-awareness through reflection and feedback to enhance emotional intelligence and personal growth.

Social Wellness

1. Socializing: Spending time with family and friends, and participating in social activities.
2. Community Involvement: Volunteering, joining clubs or groups, and participating in community events.
3. Building Relationships: Developing and maintaining supportive and healthy relationships.
4. Communication Skills: Practicing effective communication, active listening, and empathy.
5. Wellness Challenges with Friendly Competition: Organizing wellness challenges or activities that involve friendly competition to promote teamwork, boost morale, and encourage social engagement among participants.

Spiritual Wellness

1. Spiritual Practices: Activities like prayer, meditation, and attending religious services.
2. Connecting with Nature: Spending time outdoors, gardening, and nature walks.
3. Purpose and Meaning: Engaging in activities that provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
4. Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness in daily activities and staying present.

RELATED: Occupational Wellness Examples & Why it’s Critical for Boosting Employee Engagement

Occupational Wellness

1. Career Development: Pursuing professional growth, learning new skills, and seeking career advancement.
2. Work-Life Balance: Managing time effectively to balance work and personal life.
3. Job Satisfaction: Finding meaning and satisfaction in work, and maintaining a positive work environment. Participating in wellness activities, such as morning meditation, can increase employee satisfaction by reducing stress and improving morale.
4. Healthy Work Environment: Promoting a safe, supportive, and productive workplace. Providing resources and support for remote employees, such as paying for work amenities like WiFi and offering incentives and rewards for participation in wellness activities.

Environmental Wellness

1. Sustainable Practices: Recycling, reducing waste, and using eco-friendly products.
2. Creating a Healthy Living Space: Keeping living and working spaces clean, organized, and free of hazards. Adding office plants can positively influence employee well-being by reducing stress and improving the overall work environment.
3. Connecting with Nature: Activities that promote appreciation and stewardship of the environment.

Financial Wellness

1. Budgeting: Creating and maintaining a budget to manage expenses.
2. Saving and Investing: Building savings, investing wisely, and planning for the future.
3. Debt Management: Strategies to reduce and manage debt.
4. Financial Education: Learning about financial planning, investments, and money management.

50 Corporate Wellness Activity Ideas

Consider breaking up your activities into wellness buckets. Since there tends to be five generally appealing areas of wellness, breaking wellness activities up into groups will help ensure you’re touching on all areas equally.

Keep in mind though, that some wellness activities will overlap, like bringing lunch to work could improve both physical and financial wellness.

10 Physical Wellness Activity Challenge Ideas

1. Get 8 hours of sleep/go to bed early
2. Read for 20 minutes before bed
3. Do a 10-minute morning stretch
4. Cut out coffee after 3pm
5. Pack a homemade lunch for a week
6. Aim for 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day to support a healthy diet
7. Try a new healthy recipe and share healthy recipes with colleagues to promote nutritious eating
8. Go meatless for one day
9. Eat less added sugar a day
10. Offer or subsidize gym memberships to encourage employees to pursue physical activity and support workplace wellness initiatives

10 Mental Wellness Activity Challenge Ideas

These activities are designed to support and enhance personal well being:

1. Start learning a language
2. Organize/clean an area of your house
3. Go outside for 20 minutes a day
4. Meditate for 10 minutes
5. Attend a yoga class
6. Do something for yourself for at least 10 minutes every day
7. Try a breathing exercise, like box breathing, to reduce stress
8. Start a journal/gratitude journal
9. Offer free counseling through the company’s EAP
10. Reduce screen time/set app timers on your phone

10 Financial Wellness Activity Ideas

1. Limit eating at restaurants to once per week
2. Create a monthly home budget
3. Offer a free session with a finance coach
4. Bring in financial speakers to present at the company
5. Offer/encourage meetings with the benefits coordinator to ensure employees are getting the most out of their benefits
6. Set a financial goal and outline concrete steps to achieve it
7. Set up an autosave program through either a bank or an app
8. Establish a “rainy day” fund and start putting money aside
9. Set up banking alerts for checking account usage/withdrawals
10. Take a finance class online

10 Career Wellness Activity Ideas

Participating in career wellness activities can help improve productivity by developing new skills and enhancing job satisfaction. Here are some ideas:

1. Thank a coworker for something they’ve done
2. Take an online class to learn a skill that will help employees develop their skill sets and improve productivity
3. Shadow a coworker in another department
4. Say hello to someone you haven’t met yet or don’t typically work with
5. Start meetings with a two word check in
6. Offer small plants for people to keep at their desk or workstation
7. Once an hour, take a 5-minute stretch, walk, or breathing break
8. Start a mentorship program to help improve productivity through knowledge sharing
9. Take pulse surveys to ensure you’re meeting the needs of your employees
10. Try utilizing a time management app or computer program

10 Social Wellness Activity Challenge Ideas

1. Talk on the phone or video chat with a friend or family member
2. Spend time with a friend in person
3. Get involved in a group or club
4. Volunteer at a school, church, or hospital
5. Have a family game night (and invite other families sometimes too!)
6. Take a class – like yoga, pottery, or cooking classes. Cooking classes are a fun and interactive way to promote team building, encourage employee engagement, foster cultural exchange, and support healthy eating habits.
7. Start an office group – like a trivia group or a book club
8. Learn about and practice active listening
9. Organize office lunches either on-site or virtually
10. Start a social recognition program

Virtual Wellness Activities

With the rise of remote work, virtual wellness activities have become an essential part of supporting employee health and engagement. These activities are designed to help remote employees stay connected, maintain healthy eating habits, and prioritize their wellbeing—no matter where they work.

Popular virtual wellness options include:

• online fitness classes
• virtual yoga sessions
• healthy cooking workshops that encourage team members to try new recipes together.
• Virtual walking clubs and step challenges
• online meditation or mindfulness sessions

By offering a variety of virtual wellness activities, employers demonstrate their commitment to the health and happiness of their remote workforce, ensuring that everyone has access to resources that support their physical and mental health, even outside the traditional office setting.

Why are Wellness Programs Important?

People today are less willing to work for companies that don’t align with their values. So much so, a survey commissioned by Paul Polman found that 51% of employees would consider resigning if their employer’s values didn’t align with their own.

And what do employees value most today? Flexibility and a healthy work/life balance have become many employees’ top priorities. And a holistic wellness program can help answer those needs when done correctly.

Effective employee wellness programs focus on people’s physical and mental health, as well as financial, career, and social well-being. These programs are dedicated to improving wellness for all employees, including those working remotely, by addressing unique challenges and supporting healthy habits.

This should help foster happier, healthier employees who are more likely to be engaged in all areas of their lives, both professionally and in their personal lives.

Wellness programs can then be both beneficial to the employee and the employer. The employee’s values are being met, respected, and encouraged. These programs also help prevent health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles and stress. And the employer experiences better retention, higher engagement, and improved morale – possibly even lower health care costs, as well.

Benefits of Employee Wellness Activities

Corporate wellness programs offer numerous benefits for both employees and employers. Here are some of the key benefits:

For Employees:

• Chronic Disease Prevention: Regular health screenings, fitness programs, and nutritional guidance can help provide health benefits like prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
• Enhanced Fitness Levels: Access to fitness resources and activities promotes regular physical activity, improving overall fitness and employee health. Wellness activities can also help maintain or improve productivity levels by supporting healthier, more energized employees.
• Stress Reduction: Programs offering stress management techniques, mindfulness training, and mental health resources can help reduce stress levels. Practicing yoga helps reduce stress and improve flexibility, making it a valuable addition to wellness programs.
• Mental Health Support: Access to counseling and mental health services provides support for those struggling with mental health issues.
• Work-Life Balance: Programs that support work-life balance, such as flexible work arrangements and time-off policies, enhance job satisfaction. Managing work hours is important to prevent burnout and support overall well-being.
• Engagement and Morale: Wellness initiatives can boost overall employee morale and engagement by showing that the company cares about their well-being.
• Community Building: Group wellness activities, team challenges, and social events foster a sense of community and improve workplace relationships.
• Financial Wellness Programs: Education on budgeting, saving, and investing can improve employees’ financial well-being.
• Healthcare Cost Savings: Lower healthcare costs through preventive care and healthier lifestyles can lead to financial savings for employees.

For Employers:

• Reduced Absenteeism: Healthier employees tend to take fewer sick days, leading to lower absenteeism rates.
• Enhanced Performance: Improved physical and mental health can lead to better focus, higher energy levels, and increased productivity. Wellness programs support employees' mental and physical health, which can directly improve employees' work performance, reduce stress, and boost engagement.
• Lower Healthcare Costs: By promoting preventive health measures, companies can reduce their healthcare expenses.
• Reduced Turnover: Healthier and more satisfied employees are less likely to leave, reducing turnover and the associated costs of hiring and training new staff. Wellness programs contribute to higher employee satisfaction, which helps retain talent.
• Attracting Talent: Companies with robust wellness programs are more attractive to potential employees, aiding in recruitment efforts.
• Positive Work Environment: Wellness programs contribute to a supportive and positive company culture, which can enhance overall workplace satisfaction and employee satisfaction.
• Employee Engagement: Engaging employees in wellness initiatives can foster a sense of belonging and commitment to the company.
• Brand Image: A commitment to employee well-being can improve the company’s brand image and attractiveness to both customers and potential employees.
• Regulatory Compliance: Wellness programs can help companies comply with health and safety regulations and reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Risk Reduction: By promoting healthy behaviors, companies can reduce the risk of long-term health issues that can impact both employees and the organization.

Creating A Comprehensive Wellness Program

A comprehensive wellness program should encompass physical, mental, social, financial, and career wellness. Organizing wellness events, such as sessions with health experts or nutritionists, can be an effective part of this program.

It should also be inclusive, measurable, motivating, and rewarding to the participants. Encouraging frequent breaks throughout the workday is recommended to support employee wellness and maintain productivity. Ultimately, the goal of a comprehensive wellness program is to improve employee well being.

Inclusive

Successful wellness programs engage a wide audience. This means your program must be accessible to everyone in your company no matter how they move, where they are, what equipment they have access to, or what level their starting point is.

Ensure that your wellness program is accessible to remote employees by offering virtual wellness activities and providing the necessary resources and support.

Think in terms of the lowest common denominator; people who run marathons, play sports, or do CrossFit 6 days a week are going to engage in their physical fitness regardless of a corporate wellness program.

Instead, focus on engaging the people who wouldn’t otherwise begin their fitness journey. Perhaps they’re intimidated by the gym, don’t know where to start, or have limited access. Thinking through an inclusive lens allows you to drive engagement through your entire population.

Terryberry’s wellness app provides an activity converter for +120 wellness activities, including wheelchair accessibility, and converts them into steps, allowing for all types of movement for all employees.

Measurable

If you don’t know where you started, how will you know if you’ve made an impact? Oftentimes, data and reporting are critical to prove ROI to leadership and continue to secure a budget for wellness programs in the future.

Terryberry's step challenge app admin panel shows important engagement metrics of employees' wellness activities.

Motivating

It’s important that your program motivates your team without overwhelming them. To do this, start short and simple. Think: a monthly theme with week-long challenges. Also, consider encouraging people to join teams. This will help with accountability while also increasing morale.

We know that what motivates one person doesn’t work for everyone. This is where gamification can help engage a wide audience. Approaching motivation from a few angles will improve long-term engagement.

Terryberry's step challenge app includes leaderboards and geographical maps that make step challenges fun, engaging, and encourages more movement.

Rewarding

Promote employee wellness by rewarding those who participate. Recognize noteworthy employees either on a recognition platform, or in person (or both).

Encourage team members to recognize each other for achieving personal goals or staying consistent in their efforts. And don’t forget to announce challenge winners to the company.

People want to be recognized for their hard work, whether it’s a work project or a wellness win.

Utilizing a wellness activity app, like Terryberry's Be Well platform, can connect wellness activities and challenges to a points-based reward system.

If the employee participates or completes the challenge, reward them with points that they can then redeems for merchandise, experiences like concerts or dining, gift cards, and more.

This provides an additional incentive to develop healthy habits and extra motivation to participate and reach the set goal.

RELATED: Social Recognition Software: What is it and Why do You Need it?

Overcoming Challenges

Launching and maintaining a successful wellness program can present challenges, especially for organizations with limited resources or experience. However, overcoming these obstacles is possible with thoughtful planning and a commitment to employee wellness.

Start by introducing small, manageable initiatives and gradually expand as engagement grows. Involving employees in the planning process ensures that wellness activities are relevant and appealing, while offering incentives can boost participation and enthusiasm.

Partnering with wellness providers, like Terryberry, can also help deliver a diverse range of activities, from fitness classes to mental health workshops and healthy eating programs. By prioritizing corporate wellness programs and promoting employee wellness through accessible, engaging activities, organizations can improve employee wellbeing, increase productivity, and reduce healthcare costs.

Even small steps can have a significant positive impact, helping to build a culture of health and support that benefits everyone.

Getting Started

Interested in learning more about how your company can benefit from a wellness program? Schedule a demo of Terryberry's wellness platform today.