15 Workplace Wellness Challenges to Boost Employee Fitness and Productivity

A recent survey found that around 87% of Filipinos experience increased mental health challenges linked to work. They experience symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, which result in low productivity and lack of desire to continue working. A good employer is mindful of the corporate health and well-being of their employees. The good news is, you can boost fitness and productivity by creating employee wellness challenges.

Wellness challenges are not just about losing weight, but rather, integrating the mind, body, and soul for a holistic improvement. Ensure the constant productivity of your workforce by implementing the wellness challenges listed below.

15 Employee Wellness Challenge Ideas for an Efficient Workplace

1. Recreation Week

Just like a ‘sports week’, organize a recreation week once every two months. This corporate fitness challenge not only gives your employees something to look forward to, but it also encourages socialization and hobby discovery. Get departments to (friendly) compete among each other and assign sports, dances, or other physical activities for them to perform.

2. Random Acts of Kindness

Whether people believe in karma or not, performing a number of good deeds undeniably rewards them back with more kindness. Encourage giving back to each other, and make the world a kinder place by starting with the office. This corporate wellness challenge targets one’s mental and social wellbeing.

3. Puzzle and Board Games Hour

Assign an hour every week for teams to gather over a game of chess, Jenga, or cards. Puzzles and board games are not just fun – they improve cognitive function and decision-making as well. This targets employees’ mental wellbeing.

4. Eco-challenge

Encourage eco-friendly commuting by asking your employees to bike, walk, or take public transportation to work. Wellness challenge ideas like this boosts physical fitness and can help them save money, conserve energy, and be more environmentally conscious.

5. Quiet Hour Challenge

Let everyone take a break from the regular office buzz by implementing a ‘quiet hour’. This period can ideally be done after lunch. Employees are free to read, nap, journal, or use headphones to listen to music – any activity that can be done quietly. This is one of the wellness challenges that place importance on mental and physical health. Wind down with activities that don’t disturb others.

6. Hydrate Challenge

Come up with fun reminders and incentives that encourage employees to drink more water throughout the day. Increased regular water intake is proven to lead to more health-conscious habits and improved physical and cognitive function, especially for both labor-intensive and static workplaces, as found in a study. 

7. Mindfulness Month

Dedicate 30 days to teach your employees healthy stress and anxiety management methods. Incorporate activities that complement educational seminars, such as journaling, creative release, and short discussion sessions for everyone to apply their learnings. Set aside a few minutes each day for meditation, so people can take a break from heavy tasks and reset their minds.

8. Office Zumba Day

Assign one day each week to invite leaders or instructors to lead an hour’s worth of zumba session. Let everyone participate in the activity each morning or afternoon to increase their productivity. This wellness challenge idea aims to promote physical health, especially in an office setting.

9. Step Calendar

Employee wellness challenges can be as simple as walking the entire floor or taking the stairs. Encourage workers to get up and walk, starting with 3,000 to 6,000 steps. Gradually increase the amount each week or month until everyone can reach a healthy 10k steps each day. Make use of step counter apps or pedometers to make the challenge exciting.

10. Healthy Lunch Challenge

If your workplace has a canteen or cafeteria, promote healthy eating habits by revamping the menu. Offer more fresh fruit, vegetables, and homemade recipes that fill your employees’ stomachs. Encourage everyone to share healthy recipes on the office group chat or channel from time to time.

11. Annual Company Marathon or Race

Organize a company-wide marathon or race. It can be for charity, a grand prize, or for a company milestone. This is especially fun for large companies that can gather many participants. Marathons require weeks to months of preparation to ensure the body is in good condition to run. The training period alone can make your employees fitness-conscious. Build up the hype before the actual event, which will become a memorable culmination of their preparation. 

12. Nap Challenge

Even just a 15-minute nap can positively affect one’s overall mood and productivity. Set aside a period where everybody and their boss is required to take a nap. Say goodbye to agitated and tense meetings with a refreshed mind.

13. Gratitude Wall

Clear out a huge wall or whiteboard where anyone can stick anonymous post-its containing things that they are grateful for that day. By the end of the month, gather the company to review the notes and celebrate happiness together. Corporate wellness challenges like this are good for mental and social well-being.

14. Stretch Streak

Create a 30-day stretching streak. Challenge your employees to stand up and stretch at least 2-3 times in a day. The most dedicated stretchers will be the happiest once their back pain goes away.

15. Monthly Nature Walks

Assign one day each month where teams can go out to walk at a nearby park, nature reserve, or lush garden – any green space will do. Encourage them to walk for 30 minutes to an hour to experience improved physical, mental, and social wellness.

How do wellness challenges encourage productivity?

• Habit formation: Repetitive activities are slowly incorporated into a routine. Assigning healthy workplace wellness challenges can promote mindful habits.
• Accountability: Shared activities among colleagues promote accountability for the self and peers. Shared responsibilities can motivate employees to accomplish a common goal.
• Meeting goals: Efficient corporate wellness challenges break down large goals into smaller, doable activities. When these small tasks are completed over time, the bigger goal will be accomplished.
• Promote fun and engagement: Be creative with your challenges, as well as the incentives and prizes the winners can get. It’s a great motivator for them to perform well.
• Friendly competition: Healthy competition is another factor that can encourage employees to put in their best efforts. This also teaches them how to navigate challenges and come out successful.

Combat stress, anxiety, and unhealthy workplace habits by taking the initiative to create a better environment. Start with small, doable challenges, and help everyone work their way up to achieve long-term goals. This sense of achievement will surely boost their productivity and motivation in the workplace.

ALSO READ: Wellness Party Themes and Ideas That Boost Employee Productivity

Take your workplace wellness challenges to the next level by arranging a corporate wellness getaway. Organize activities such as massages and spa experiences, ecotherapy, Tai Qi Gong / traditional Chinese exercises, as well as healthy farm-to-table dining. You can find all these at Nurture Wellness Village, a premier Filipino wellness destination. Contact us today to plan your corporate activities.