9 Simple Workplace Wellness Ideas for a Healthier Office

A healthy work environment is key to having happy and satisfied employees. And since many office workers struggle to get enough physical activity or eat well, why not encourage their health journeys—while boosting office morale—by incorporating health and wellness into the workday?

The benefits of encouraging healthy habits in the workplace include:

• Healthier and happier employees
• Increased engagement and productivity
• Building of camaraderie among employees
• Getting fit and healthy together!

Here are some tips for increasing workplace wellness in your work environment.

1. Provide Healthy Snacks

The fuel we give our bodies affects energy levels, productivity, mood, stress tolerance, and so much more.

Instead of the classic vending machine options for mid-day snacks, try bringing in healthier options like:

• A fruit or vegetable tray
• Peanut butter and whole grain crackers
• Homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, unsweetened dried fruit, and optional dark chocolate chips
• Greek yogurts
• Healthy energy or protein bars (Stay away from the glorified candy bar types! Here are some healthy homemade recipes)

2. Order Healthy Breakfasts or Lunches for Everyone

Show appreciation for your team by ordering breakfast or lunch for the office every so often. But instead of donuts or pizza, choose a caterer with healthy options like salads, sandwiches, or wraps.

3. Offer a Weekly Remote Working Day

If your office can swing it, try giving employees a weekday option to work from home. It can help reduce stress while boosting creativity and productivity, which is good for everyone’s mental and emotional health.

4. Have a Monthly Potluck with Healthy Dishes

Encourage everyone to find healthy recipes they like by holding a regular potluck!

Start a signup sheet in the break room for each person to list their name and what they’re bringing. Offer quick and easy healthy recipe suggestions for those who are new to healthy eating or cooking. It’s a great opportunity to share new nutritious meal and snack ideas!

5. Create an Office Challenge

Incentivize the office to jump into healthier living with a fun challenge!

For 30 days, set a goal and offer a reward for those who reach their goal the fastest or offer “points” for completing daily goals. The details will depend on the specific challenge.

Some ideas include:

• Sleep challenge: tracking how many nights they sleep seven hours or more.
• Water challenge: tracking how many days they drink eight glasses of water or more.
• Walking challenge: tracking how many days they walk at least 10,000 steps.
• Workout challenge: tracking how many days they workout for 30 minutes or more.

6. Take a 15-Minute Walk Together!

Get everyone outside by scheduling a quick “walk break” around the block. The benefits of exercise include increased mental focus, boosted mood, energy and creativity, and better sleep—all aspects that can improve work productivity and morale.

Plus, walking together is just a fun way to talk with one another outside of the office setting. Everyone will feel more refreshed and alert after the active break!

7. Create a Weekly Wellness Newsletter

Have someone in the office who loves creating content? Let them start a weekly newsletter highlighting recent information on health, fitness and nutrition to share with the office! Include quick tips for improving health and ways to work together to stay healthy and fit.

8. Start an In-Office Communal Cookbook

Encourage everyone to share recipes and compile them into a physical or digital cookbook for the workplace. Divide it into sections for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and desserts so there are plenty of options! And keep it updated as new ideas are shared.

9. Invite a Nutrition or Fitness Expert to Speak

Find local businesses in the health and wellness field and invite them to the workplace to speak on different aspects of health. Look for someone who can lead the office through mindfulness techniques like meditation or stretches they can do at their desk. Maybe they can even help lead you through any of the workplace wellness ideas above!

The Bottom Line

Making health a priority can be challenging when you have a full-time job. But employees can encourage one another by working together on the common goal of leading healthier lives. And a healthier office means better work output, happier bosses and employees, and an all-around better environment for everyone. So why not start today?