Employee Wellness Day: Benefits, Ideas & Ways to Plan it

The only sustainable advantage that any organization is going to have in the future is the ability of its people.
– D. Quinn Mills, Harvard Business School

In an age where the hustle never seems to stop, the concept of an Employee Wellness Day is like a breath of fresh air. Imagine a day when the focus shifts from meeting deadlines to prioritizing employee wellness. Sounds surreal, right? That's what a wellness day is all about.

It’s not about slapping a wellness sticker on deep-rooted issues. Instead, it’s about addressing what truly impacts employee health.

When companies commit to these causes, Employee Wellness Day can become a powerful catalyst for transformation. It can help shift a culture of stress into one of support and employee well-being.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to craft a day that resonates deeply with your company values. Because when your employees feel their best, they can give their best—and that’s a win for everyone.

What is an Employee Wellness Day?

Employee Wellness Day is a dedicated time set aside by organizations to focus on the health and well-being of their employees. Unlike regular paid time off (PTO), often used for vacations or personal matters, Wellness Days help employees mentally and physically recharge.

But here's the key: a true Wellness Day isn’t just about telling employees to "take care of themselves". It’s about what the company can do to make that care possible. It starts with the basics—

• fair pay,
• enough time off,
• flexible working hours, and
• a supportive work environment.

Without them, a Wellness Day can be another way to gloss over more profound issues.

This special day is marked by an engaging array of activities meticulously designed to improve various aspects of employees' well-being, including their physical, mental, financial, social, and emotional health.

For example, activities could include taking a mindful walk, attending a wellness workshop, or engaging in a group fitness challenge.

Suggested Read: 25 Epic Office Fitness Challenge Ideas to Energize Your Employees in 2024

And this isn’t just a one-off event. Wellness Days can be scheduled regularly, such as weekly or monthly. This, in return, could allow employees to take a break from their usual workload to recharge and focus on their personal well-being.

When a company takes these fundamental needs seriously, Employee Wellness Days become a blessing. They’re a chance for employees to step back, breathe, and engage in activities that truly nourish them.

Now, let’s understand the significance of offering wellness incentives.

Beyond Just a Day Off: Incentivizing Participation

Imagine the impact when employees participate in wellness activities and earn more than just a healthier lifestyle— they gain meaningful rewards. There are many things that employers can consider:

• Health Insurance Discounts: Employees who consistently participate in wellness activities—such as attending health screenings or wellness workshops—can qualify for lower insurance costs.

This provides financial savings, making wellness a win-win for the employee and the company.

• Gym Memberships and Fitness Reimbursements: Some companies even provide fitness reimbursements, allowing employees to choose their preferred form of exercise.

This flexibility ensures that wellness is accessible and tailored to individual preferences.

• Offering reimbursements for therapies like massages, acupuncture, or physical therapy sessions.

• Companies can also introduce team-based challenges where departments or groups compete in wellness activities. They can earn rewards like a healthy catered lunch, an outdoor team building activity, etc.

With a platform such as Vantage Fit, employees can engage in wellness activities and earn wellness points. These points can be exchanged as gift cards/vouchers for purchases from various websites.

Not just that. Vantage Fit also features a leaderboard where employees can see where they stand in the wellness game, adding a healthy dose of competition.

Suggested Read: 7 Wellness Incentive Ideas To Boost Your Corporate Programs

5 Benefits of Offering an Employee Wellness Day

Below are five benefits of offering an Employee Wellness Day:

1. Improved Employee Well-Being

Wellness days help reduce stress and anxiety by providing opportunities for relaxation, mindfulness, and stress management techniques. Such an initiative helps employees focus on all dimensions of health, leading to overall well-being.

2. Increased Job Satisfaction

According to a study, almost 89% of employees working for companies with wellness initiatives reported being happy with their job and would recommend it to others. This highlights the positive impact on employee morale.

3. Reduced Healthcare Costs

72% of employers saw reduced healthcare costs after implementing a wellness initiative. It is imperative that employee wellness days benefit employees as they engage in various activities. The health benefits are undeniable, be it health risk assessment, going for walks, or doing meditation.

4. Improved Work Culture and Relationships

Research claims that 49% of employers say wellness programs improve employee health and well-being. These are the days when employees and employers come together to celebrate wellness unitedly. This fosters camaraderie and says a lot about the company's environment.

Suggested Read: 8 Ways To Create And Nurture A Culture Of Wellness In The Workplace

5. Encourages Work-Life Balance

With options like paid time off or hybrid work arrangements, employee wellness days are an instant hit. Employees appreciate this offer wholeheartedly, as they can work from anywhere or take paid leave to go for check-ups.

Employees are more efficient and engaged when they feel their well-being is genuinely prioritized.

Suggested read: How the Employee Well-being Index Can Empower Your Workforce?

How to Plan an Employee Wellness Day?

Planning an Employee Wellness Day is about creating an experience that genuinely resonates with your team and supports their well-being. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Start with Your Employees’ Needs

The first step is understanding what your employees truly need. Consider conducting a quick wellness survey or having informal conversations to gather input.

What activities would they find beneficial? Are they seeking stress relief, physical activity, or time to unwind? By involving your employees in the planning process, you ensure the day is tailored to their preferences, making it more impactful.

2. Set Clear Goals

What do you want to achieve with your Wellness Day? Whether it’s reducing stress, boosting morale, or encouraging team bonding, having clear goals will help guide your planning.

For example, if stress relief is the main objective, focus on activities like meditation sessions or yoga. If team bonding is a priority, consider group activities like a wellness challenge or a team-building exercise. Clear goals will also make it easier to measure the day's success.

3. Create a Balanced Schedule

A carefully thought-out Wellness Day should include various activities that address many facets of wellbeing. Start the day with something relaxing to set a positive tone, like a mindfulness session.

Then, follow it with physical activities, such as a group walk or fitness class. In the midday, you could host a healthy lunch or nutrition workshop.

Ensure plenty of time for breaks and casual interactions, allowing employees to recharge.

4. Make It Inclusive and Flexible

Everyone has different needs and comfort levels, so it’s essential to offer a range of activities that cater to everyone. These could include quiet spaces for meditation, group activities for those who enjoy social interaction, and individual options for those who prefer to go about their business at their own pace.

Also, consider offering remote-friendly options for your remote employees, ensuring everyone can participate.

5. Communicate Clearly and Early

Get the word out well in advance. Use emails, posters, or your company’s internal communication channels to inform employees about the day’s activities, schedule, and goals.

Make it clear that participation is encouraged but not mandatory. Early communication helps build anticipation and ensures everyone has the time to plan their participation.

6. Involve Leadership

Encourage leaders and managers to participate alongside their teams. When leadership is involved, it shows that wellness is a priority at all levels of the organization. It also helps to break down barriers and foster a more inclusive, supportive environment.

Suggested Read: Wellness Leadership: Strategies for a Healthier, Happier Workplace

7. Gather Feedback and Reflect

After the Wellness Day, gather feedback from your employees. What worked well? What could be improved? This input is invaluable for planning future events and making wellness a continuous part of your company culture.

You can use Vantage Fit’s HR dashboard to analyze participation data and assess the effectiveness of wellness initiatives. This will help you refine your approaches for future Wellness Days.

Remember, the goal is not just a successful day but to create a long-term positive change in the workplace.

17 Employee Wellness Day Ideas & Activities for Staff

Here are some versatile and effective ideas to make your Employee Wellness Day thoughtful and beneficial:

1. Yoga Retreat

In a world where everyone’s distracted, yoga could be an excellent way for individuals to reconnect with themselves. All it takes is a mat.

And the best part? A yoga instructor can guide the session via video call or in person, making it accessible for everyone and providing a shared moment of calm, regardless of location.

2. Try a New Vegetable/Fruit

Encourage employees to try a new vegetable or fruit each week. They earn points for eating at least three different colored fruits and vegetables daily.

For example, a plate might include red bell peppers, green spinach, and purple grapes. The goal is to diversify their diet with a spectrum of nutrients that each color offers.

To make it even more engaging, use a simple app or a tracking system like Vantage Fit's nutrition tracker. This way, participants can log their daily colors and monitor their progress. Over time, participants will develop healthier eating habits that can last well beyond the challenge.

3. Wellness Walks

Sometimes, it takes is a simple walk to step away from the desk and clear the mind. Putting one foot before the other can work wonders—refreshing the body and recharging the spirit.

You can offer something as simple as 90 minutes a week dedicated to these short, refreshing walks as an employer. This simple gesture allows them to breathe and reconnect with themselves.

4. Chair Massages

A quick chair massage can be a powerful way to relieve tension and boost employee well-being. Schedule 15–20-minute sessions throughout the day, allowing employees to sign up for a time that suits them.

If your budget allows, hire a professional massage therapist who can visit your workplace and set up a small station in a quiet area. Employees can take turns getting relaxing massages that help ease the strain on their backs, necks, and shoulders.

5. Mindfulness Meditation Sessions

Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Offer guided meditation sessions to help employees manage stress and find calm in their busy workday. These sessions can provide a peaceful escapade where employees can reset and recharge.

Schedule multiple short sessions throughout the day—perhaps 10 to 15 minutes each—allowing employees to join in during breaks. For those who may not resonate with meditation, consider offering alternatives like journaling or art therapy.

6. Employee Health Fair

An Employee Health Fair is a fun and proactive way to encourage wellness in the workplace. It’s an event where employees can explore various health resources, learn about wellness topics, and participate in health-related activities—all in one place.

Here’s how to organize an influential Employee Health Fair:

• Partner with Local Health Providers to set up informational booths and interactive sessions. These partners can offer free health screenings, which give employees valuable insights into their health status.
• Offer Educational Workshops on nutrition, stress management, mental health, etc.
• Incorporate interactive activities by hosting fitness challenges, healthy cooking demonstrations, or yoga and meditation sessions.

Tailor the event to your workforce. If your workforce is largely remote, consider a hybrid approach with both in-person and virtual components.

7. Bring Your Pets to Work

What could be better than letting employees bring their furry friends to work? Every day, they leave their pets at home while they hustle, but this day can shake things up a bit.

Make the office pet-friendly with water stations, treats, and cozy rest areas. Secure loose wires to ensure the workspace is safe. For those who may not be comfortable with pets around, providing options for remote work or creating pet-free zones ensures everyone can enjoy the day.

It’s a simple way to make the office feel more like a second home.

8. Mental Health Day

A mental health day is a designated day off for employees to focus on their mental well-being. It is distinct from traditional sick leave or vacation days. There’s no universal rule for offering these days. Still, many places permit mental health sick leave under existing policies.

Here’s what you can do:

• Establish clear guidelines on how many mental health days employees can take and under what circumstances.
• Encourage a "no questions asked" policy to protect privacy and combat stigma.
• Provide managers with the knowledge and resources to support their teams in taking mental health days without judgment.

9. Stress Management Workshops

Stress is a leading cause of major illnesses. Organizations can help employees lead a quality life by providing stress management training. These workshops can deal with a range of topics, from identifying stress triggers to learning relaxation techniques.

Plan for a workshop that fits your schedule, typically 60 to 120 minutes. Hire a qualified trainer or facilitator who can provide practical, evidence-based techniques.

10. Flexible Work Arrangements

Implementing flexible hours lets employees choose when they start and finish their workday if they complete their required hours. Such an initiative can help employees avoid commuting hassles and enable them to work with ease.

11. Healthy Cooking Workshop

People today are more health-conscious than ever, but finding time to cook nutritious meals can be tough with busy schedules. The internet is packed with easy, healthy recipes, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. A Healthy Cooking Workshop can bridge that gap.

What you can do is: Provide a variety of healthy recipes made of lean proteins, grains, oats, plant-based ingredients, and more. Display the nutritional information of each so employees can make informed choices.

Suggested Read: The 9 Best Healthy Foods To Eat Everyday

Your employees will gain the ability to prepare meals that are both quick and nutritious. They'll leave the workshop with new skills, simple recipes, and the confidence to incorporate healthy eating into their daily routine.

12. Financial Wellness Sessions

Did you know? A PwC survey found that financial concerns are the primary source of stress in employees' lives. To combat that, you can:

Bring in financial professionals to lead the sessions. Offer sessions that cover budgeting, debt management, and financial planning. Provide additional resources like financial planning tools and access to one-on-one consultations with financial advisors.

You can also offer them access to professional courses if they show interest.

13. Art and Creativity Workshops

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
– Pablo Picasso

Research claims that employees participating in creative workshops report a 30% reduction in stress levels. This indicates the significant impact of artistic engagement on mental well-being.

What can you do?

Offer workshops that cater to diverse interests and skill levels, such as:

• Photography
• Pottery
• Candle Making
• Recycling
• Painting, etc.

Engage experienced art instructors or facilitators who can guide employees through the creative process. Provide art supplies and materials. Encourage self-expression.

Remember, don’t criticize while creating. Both are entirely different processes.

14. Wellness Hours

Offering Wellness Hours could be a fantastic way for employers to prioritize employee health. These hours, counted as part of the workday, would allow employees to engage in activities that rejuvenate them. These activities could include a gym visit, a walk, or a meditation session.

This could involve allocating a specific amount of time each week. Employees can use one hour per day or five hours per week for wellness activities. Employers should allow employees to choose when to use their wellness hours.

15. Paid Time for Wellness Activities

Offering free paid time after completing wellness activities can be a game changer for most. Here’s what you can do:

• Establish criteria for how employees can earn paid time off through wellness activities.
• Use a wellness platform like Vantage Fit to monitor employee participation in wellness activities.
• Allow employees to choose how they want to use their earned time off. Some might prefer a full day, while others want to break it into smaller periods.
  Flexibility makes the reward more appealing and aligns with individual needs.

16. Preventive Healthcare Leave

Offer a few hours of paid leave for preventive healthcare appointments like annual physicals, dental cleanings, or eye exams. It is a must-have, trust me.

Consider offering small prizes for the best or most creative dancer to add an extra layer of fun. The focus is on having fun, not perfection.

For those hesitant, create a supportive and judgment-free environment where everyone feels comfortable letting loose.

17. Therapy Sessions

Provide on-site physical therapy sessions where employees can discuss flexibility and stretching or address any physical issues they might have. In a world where almost, every other person is going through crises, therapy sessions could be a boon.

Bring in professionals and host on-site or online psychotherapy sessions. Keep the sessions confidential. This could be very helpful.

Special Mention

Wellness Bingo

Create a Wellness Bingo game in which employees complete various wellness tasks. Offer different incentives for completing rows or achieving a “blackout”. This is fun.

Here’s a sample.

Period Care Day for Menstruators

Offer a Period Care Day where menstruators can take a day off or work from home monthly. This small gesture can go a long way in showing that your company culture acknowledges the challenges menstruators face during this time.

Suggested Read: Menstrual Leave: A progressive or regressive case for the Female Workforce

Consider offering self-care period subscription boxes filled with essentials. This thoughtful gesture will show that your company is committed to creating an inclusive and empathetic workplace.

5 Tips for Maximizing Engagement in Your Employee Wellness Day

Employee wellness days offer a fantastic opportunity to boost employee well-being and foster a positive company culture. However, ensuring high engagement and participation is crucial to its success. Here are some strategies to maximize engagement in your employee wellness day:

To ensure your Employee Wellness Day is a success and engages everyone, consider these additional tips:

1. Personalize the Experience

Tailor activities to your employees' unique interests and needs. This could include offering personalized wellness plans or allowing employees to choose the activities that resonate most with them.

Personalization increases buy-in and makes the experience more meaningful.

2. Make it Fun and Interactive

Incorporate fun elements, such as games, challenges, or friendly contests. For example, a wellness bingo or step challenge can boost excitement and participation. The key is keeping the energy high and the atmosphere light, ensuring everyone feels included and motivated.

You can use our in-house platform, Vantage Fit, to host challenges like step competitions, allowing employees to track their progress and see their standings on a leaderboard. This adds a gamified element to wellness activities.

3. Encourage Peer Support

Encourage employees to support one another to build a strong sense of community. You can do this through team-based activities or by creating wellness groups where employees can share tips, progress, and encouragement.

Peer support can significantly boost engagement and make the wellness day more enjoyable.

Encourage social interaction through team-building activities, group fitness classes, or networking opportunities.

4. Offer Incentives

Incentives are powerful motivators. Beyond the usual rewards, consider offering unique perks such as extra wellness hours, personalized wellness kits, or recognition in a company-wide announcement. These small gestures can make a big difference in driving participation.

Show appreciation for employee involvement through public acknowledgment, social media shoutouts, or small gifts.

Vantage Fit allows employees to earn wellness points that can be exchanged for rewards. This feature enhances motivation and engagement.

5. Provide Follow-Up Resources

After the wellness day, offer resources to help employees continue their wellness journey. This could include access to wellness apps, discounts on fitness memberships, or ongoing wellness workshops.

Showcase the impact of the wellness day, including participation numbers and employee feedback. Ensuring wellness doesn’t end with the day helps maintain engagement and promotes long-term well-being.

Final Words

Employee Wellness Days are a powerful statement about how much you value your people. When you create a space for employees to focus on their well-being, you’re investing in their happiness, health, and, ultimately, the success of your organization.

A well-planned Wellness Day shows your team that their well-being is at the core of your company’s values.

Let’s make wellness more than just an initiative— make it the heartbeat of your company. To elevate this experience, consider partnering with Vantage Fit.

Our platform makes it effortless to integrate wellness into your company’s culture. With customizable programs, activity tracking, and rewards that resonate, Vantage Fit empowers you to build a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Connect with Vantage Fit today, and together, we’ll shape a workplace where wellness drives success and thriving is the new normal.