Wellness Program Ideas
Hollywood Stars or American Celebrities
This is another fun activity focusing on healthful losing weight or maintenance.
o Participants choose a secret code name (the name of a Hollywood star or other celebrity).
o Participants weigh-in with a “trusted” confident privately – at which time a healthy weight goal is set for the period of the contest.
o Post a chart with everybody’s secret name assigning each a starting weight of zero.
o Participants weigh themselves weekly and submit the weight with their code name on the paper.
o Weight is expressed in relation to a starting weight of zero. for example +4 would indicate a weight gain of four pounds; while â.”2 would indicate a weight reduction of two pounds.
o Future weigh-ins should be in relation to the starting weight, not the previous week’s weight.
o The chart is kept current and posted publicly by Wellness Committee.
o Post a “weight control hint of the week” next to the tracking chart.
o Give “take one” brochures on weight control education or motivational tips by the chart.
o Celebrate worker progress after the activity.
Health Promotion Book/Journal Club and/or Book Exchange
Similar to any other book discussion group, the readings and focus of this group is health. With a wide “health” definition, many subjects can be appropriate including communication, self-improvement, relationships, money management, environment, ecology, recreation, cooking, etc.
Let the group select the topics and books. Another suggested idea is to establish a book swap area where readers can trade the book(s) for those that others have left for trade.
Pre-Be sure to work Stretching Group
A few minutes of gentle stretching is a excellent way to safely begin the workday. A specialist fitness instructor may be brought in to teach proper stretching techniques.
After that, most often an internal group can meet and run itself. Offer periodic refresher sessions with the trainer or instructor to vary the routine and help keep participants motivated.
Considerations for workplace stretching -
o Make certain to work with your Management Team for stretching endorsement.
o Stretches ought to be taught by a knowledgeable and certified person.
o Even though pre-work stretches are done on an worker’s personal time, the question of business liability will likely arise, specifically if someone reports an associated stretching injury.
Talk with your corporation’s legal counsel and/or contact your corporation workers’ compensation carrier to help in design of an worker release of liability waiver.
Workplace Chair Massage
Bring in a licensed massage therapist to offer chair massage at the employees’ expense. These massages are done fully clothed with the recipient seated in a chair.
The therapist brings in a special chair that fully supports the head and shoulders while an upper body massage is given. Sessions are typically 15 minutes, with an typical cost between $12.00 – $15.00 per session.
Post a sign up sheet with appointments at intervals advised by the therapist. Be certain the therapist is certified. It will be necessary to provide a private space. A group of “regulars” may evolve which may establish a regular massage schedule.
Obtain an agreement with upper management so staff members can trade massage time for coffee or personal break time. Note – upper management may want the therapist to supply proof of liability insurance.
Art at Work
Art can be a good way to nurture employees’ creative side and help them manage stress at the same time. Bring in various art and craft supplies once a month and let the creative juices flow.
If participants are willing, have a temporary “art show” later that day. Or, feature worker art during certain months or times of the year. Be certain to encourage workforce to post their art in their personal workspaces.
Healthful Email-a-Week
Develop an email list of colleagues who want to receive an inspirational, funny or educational health quote, thought, tip or idea once a week by email.
Ask members of the Wellness Committee to collect ideas initially, and then ask the members of the email list to contribute ideas and information as time goes on. Follow all corporation rules regarding work time and email protocols.
Hobby Show or Demonstrations
Hobbies are excellent stress management tools. Make sure to encourage workforce to show off their talents by sponsoring a “hobby fair” or demonstration. Send around a sign up sheet.
See who’d be willing to bring in samples of their hobby, and maybe even do a live demonstration. Fairs or demonstrations can be scheduled as a group activity or brown bag that permits interested personnel to interact.
Or, hobby sharing may be done in groupings by topic over a scheduled period of time, allowing for a brief presentation and/or demonstration on the part of the hobbyist.