Wellness Wednesday: Boosting Employee Well-being at Work
What was once a hashtag on social media to promote healthy living and wellness has turned into an international self-care movement. That’s right, we’re talking about #WellnessWednesday. While people everywhere are reminded to practise midweek self-care thanks to its catchy title, Wellness Wednesday also applies to workspaces. As employers look for more ways to support their workforce, we explore how Wellness Wednesday can boost employee well-being in this Pacific Prime UK article.
What is Wellness Wednesday?
Have you never heard about the #WellnessWednesday hashtag until now? Fret not. It’s basically an ongoing social media trend where people post tips, tricks and motivational content focused on healthy living. Wellness Wednesday facts can be presented in short, simple sentences, long blog posts and more, covering wellness topics such as:
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Mindfulness
- Mental health
At first, Wellness Wednesday gave people a weekly opportunity to showcase their healthiest habits to inspire others to do the same. These days, it has made its way into offices around the world as employers are keenly searching for more ways to bring wellness into the workplace. Wellness Wednesday at work encourages physical and mental well-being through all kinds of actions and activities.
Benefits of Wellness Wednesday in the Workplace
Any good company knows that it’s only as good as its employees, which is why those that prioritise employee well-being pave the way for long-term success. It’s no coincidence that companies like Google, Microsoft, Asana, Nike and Netflix have some of the best employee wellness programs anywhere. More workplaces in the UK are developing their own well-being strategies, and the number is only going to rise as employee well-being statistics surrounding stress and overall health are given more attention. Thanks to its customisable nature, Wellness Wednesday is easy to implement in any company. Here are some reasons to give it a go.
Encourages Well-being
Once your company decides to take part, your employees will look forward to receiving the new Wellness Wednesday tip of the week or participating in this week’s activity. By sharing health and wellness insights, promoting health challenges and encouraging well-being in general, employees will be reminded of the importance of their wellness on a weekly basis. Thanks to its catchy title, Wellness Wednesdays are hard to forget and easy to market.
Improves Social Connections
Wellness Wednesday is a great opportunity for different teams and departments to mingle and welcome new employees. One way to build camaraderie amongst employees is through social events such as healthy cooking classes or dance lessons. Activities can help foster a feeling of community for those looking to improve their health, regardless of whether they’re conducted virtually or in person.
Promotes Self-care
Work-life balance is front and centre these days, as taking time for ourselves becomes more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear to employers and employees alike that balancing work and personal life is something that cannot be ignored for a healthy life. That’s why Wellness Wednesday and mental health go hand-in-hand. To lead productive and fulfilling lives, employees must take the time to recharge during the workday. Fortunately, wellness activities at work can serve as a vital reminder that self-care matters.
And More
Other benefits companies can realise by joining Wellness Wednesdays include:
- Lower stress levels
- More focus
- Improved morale
- Fewer sick days
- Lower healthcare costs
- Less turnover
Not to mention, Wellness Wednesdays are fun! Whether they take place for a few minutes or a few hours, activities that centre around well-being can only be beneficial.
Workplace Wellness Wednesday Ideas
Wellness Wednesday activities make it easy to give your employees a much-needed break to value wellness and the role it plays in their lives. There are plenty of ways to approach Wellness Wednesday at work. The key to keeping a wellness campaign going is to keep it simple. The following are some easy and simple Wellness Wednesday ideas to add to your list.
Eat Lunch Alfresco
What better way to break up a week spent indoors than to take lunch outside? A picnic or meal at an outdoor cafe lifts spirits thanks to the combination of fresh air and bonding time.
Mindfulness Lunch and Learn
Set aside one hour of the day to work on mindfulness through meditations and presentations. At the start and end of the presentation, have participants meditate to clear their minds and alleviate stress.
Chair Yoga Classes
As the name suggests, chair yoga is yoga incorporating a chair—making it ideal for any workplace set-up. It is also suitable for all levels, even for those who struggle with traditional yoga.
Mindful Coffee Breaks
Schedule a brief mid-to-early-afternoon break for employees to step away from their workstations and enjoy a mindful coffee break together (or on their own). You can suggest a different non-work-related topic every week or meditation.
Walking Meetings
Take meetings out of the conference room on Wednesdays and walk instead. Walk and talk meetings not only get people moving but increase creative output by around 60% as well.
Challenges
Announce workplace wellness challenges every Wednesday. Challenges can include mindful walking, sleep, mindfulness, journaling, mood-tracking and more.
Make Wellness Wednesday Work for Your Business
With different budgets and employee needs, every business’ Wellness Wednesday strategy is going to be unique. It can be as simple as sending out a weekly email with an article about well-being, as company cook-offs, or as extravagant as self-care boxes. However you choose to participate in Wellness Wednesdays, concentrating on the health and well-being of your employees is beneficial to any workplace.
Design the Best Employee Wellness Programs with Pacific Prime UK
Just like Wellness Wednesdays, employee wellness programs and employee benefits plans come in all shapes and sizes. The most important thing is to make sure that it meets the needs of your workforce so it’s a worthwhile investment that will actually be useful. However, getting started on your company’s wellness program can be challenging if you’re not an expert. That’s why many corporations turn to Pacific Prime UK for help. As a leading employee benefits provider and insurance broker, we have over 20 years of industry experience helping corporations find employee benefits and group health insurance solutions. Arrange a free consultation with our corporate team to learn more about what we can do for you today.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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