The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every organization through labor shortages, supply chain problems, and the economic ramifications that have refocused attention on mental health and wellness in general.

As a result, incorporating wellness elements in events is becoming more common.

Indeed, according to PCMA, “two out of five planners said they had added content related to workplace mental health and work/life balance to their educational program. An equal number have changed the design of their in-person event—the most common tweaks are more networking and activity/movement opportunities, followed by healthier F&B options.”

For a long time, physical health offerings (yoga, morning runs, healthier food and beverage options, etc.) were a “nice-to-have” option at many events. However, it’s becoming a requirement if you want people to attend.

In this article, we are going to explain why you should include wellness in your corporate events and how to go about it.

Why include wellness in your events?

Adding wellness to your events is essential for several reasons.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

If you are organizing internal events

When you plan corporate events for employees like team-building exercises, seminars, etc., including some wellness components will be beneficial in the following ways.

Encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Incorporating wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, or healthy food options during corporate events can encourage employees to adopt healthier habits, which can have long-term benefits for their overall health and well-being.

Boost employee morale.

Employees who feel that their company values their well-being are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.

Incorporating wellness into your events can help your employees feel appreciated and supported, which can improve morale and overall job satisfaction.

Reduce stress and burnout.

High levels of stress and burnout can negatively impact employee performance and productivity. Offering stress-reducing activities such as mindfulness exercises, guided meditation, or massages can help employees reduce their stress levels, improve their mental health, and avoid burnout.

Increase productivity.

A focus on wellness can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. Employees who feel healthy, energized, and engaged are more likely to perform well and achieve their goals.

Enhance company culture.

A focus on wellness can create a positive company culture that promotes health and well-being. This can attract and retain talented employees who value a healthy work-life balance. It can also promote a sense of community among employees.

If you are organizing conferences and trade shows

Adding wellness to your events will be beneficial in the following ways.

Help your attendees thrive.

During a nonstop day of programming, engagement may start to wane. Wellness intervals can keep your attendees from becoming overwhelmed with information. In addition, enjoying a few minutes between or after meetings to disengage and relax will allow them to feel more energized, balanced, and focused.

And why not plan an outdoor breakout session and incorporate walking into your event? That could help re-energize your attendees and improve their mood, blood flow, and cognitive function.

Attract more attendees.

The success of your event in terms of participation can be impacted by incorporating wellness, as it will draw attendees interested in health and wellness. By doing this, you may be able to expand your audience and boost event attendance.

Health and wellness ideas for corporate events

Meditation and yoga sessions

By offering yoga and meditation sessions before or after the event, you can help your employees relax and focus.

These sessions can also be used during a conference or trade show to help attendees relax and rejuvenate. Indeed, trade shows are notoriously exhausting for exhibitors, organizers, and attendees. These sessions can be scheduled during breaks or before and after the event.

Photo by Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash

And for the one in six event attendees with sensory-processing issues, why not take inspiration from the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas, which opened a dedicated room with reduced lighting and noise for guests who may feel overstimulated and need a more secure environment?

You can also schedule short mindfulness breaks throughout the event to help attendees stay focused and centered. These breaks can include breathing exercises, guided meditation, or other mindfulness activities.

Healthy food and beverage options

By providing healthy catering options, you’re promoting good nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Instead of feeding your employees and attendees donuts, candy, and fried foods, try to include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-sugar beverages.

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Why not set up a smoothie bar with either a “Smoothie Barista” who will make the smoothies or a selection of milk and milk substitutes, yogurts, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein powders, etc., and blenders so that your participants can make their own?

As a way to start the day off right, you could also host an outdoor breakfast with coffee, tea, and a variety of foods like yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola.

Also, think about adding more creative non-alcoholic drink options to your after-work parties, such as mocktails, so that people can enjoy a “fun” drink without it having to be alcohol-based.

Fitness challenges and active breaks

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise increases overall health and well-being. Physical activity may also help boost the production of endorphins, your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters.

By organizing a fitness challenge, you can encourage your employees to get active and improve their fitness levels.

These fitness challenges can also be part of team-building activities. Aside from being a great way to encourage a sense of belonging in the company, team-building activities involving physical exercises, such as hiking or outdoor games, can improve your employees’ mood.

Think about rewarding participation in the challenge, as it will help get your employees on board!

Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash

During conferences and trade shows, especially if they span a few days, you can encourage attendees to get moving by offering active break options, such as group walks, stretching exercises, or fitness challenges.

You might want to avoid scheduling a 5K run/walk as it might be overwhelming for most, but how about an 8,000-step-a-day challenge?

Massage therapy

You can promote relaxation and stress relief among your staff by offering massage therapy during breaks. This will, in turn, help them be more productive.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

The same is true for attendees at an event; quick massage sessions can be an excellent way to decompress and encourage relaxation. So why not plan for quieter areas with massage chairs where your attendees can enjoy a few minutes of me-time?

Mental health support

Many people struggle with their mental health, even though they might not show it.

Photo by Emily Underworld on Unsplash

Providing resources and support for your employees struggling with mental health issues can make all the difference. You can organize talks and workshops to raise awareness about mental health issues and offer support for those who need it. You can also subsidize mental wellness and therapy services.

During conferences and trade shows, you can set up a few quiet areas where people can meet counselors or find resources for seeking help.

In conclusion

As we’ve seen, adding wellness to your internal corporate events can benefit both your employees and your organization. Indeed, by promoting health and wellness, you can help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, improve their well-being, and ultimately boost productivity and engagement, which in turn, creates a more positive workplace culture that supports the success of your organization.

As for conferences or trade shows, incorporating health and wellness elements can create a positive, energizing experience for attendees that supports their physical, mental, and emotional health and promotes well-being and productivity.

Author : Veronique Colombani

Why adding wellness to your events is essential