25+ unique Wellness Wednesday ideas for your team
If you want a productive team in the modern workspace, you must support their wellbeing.
Wellness Wednesdays are a great way to put your employees front and centre and bring health and happiness into your team’s week.
Midweek wellness activities allow your employees to recharge, connect, and improve their mental and physical health by setting aside dedicated time.
During this special day, you can go from simple mindfulness exercises to team-building challenges. They also improve your team’s morale and create a more balanced work culture.
In this article, we are going to look at 25 unique Wellness Wednesday ideas that many successful wellness companies are using to help teams relax, regroup and rejuvenate.
Stick around as we discuss a variety of fun, exciting, and creative team-building activities you can use in your next Wellness Wednesday.
Wellness Wednesday: what is it all about?
Wellness Wednesday is an initiative to help your team’s wellbeing by doing things that promote relaxation, connection, and rejuvenation.
It is a great way to pause in a busy week, providing your employees with time to recharge and come back to work rejuvenated and ready to go. The idea is similar to annual events such as the upcoming global wellness day 2025. But instead of a single day, it is a weekly recurring wellness activity.
You can use ideas like putting together a wellness room for relaxation or meditation or virtual wellness ideas for your remote staff. Online yoga classes or guided meditation sessions are also quite effective in helping employees find balance in remote working settings.
Adding Wellness Wednesday to your weekly routine will help increase your team’s morale, productivity, and work-life balance.
Moreover, this flexible initiative is customisable to your and your team’s needs.
Why is Wednesday wellness a great work initiative?
Here’s how Wednesday Wellness supports both your team and your bottom line.
Benefits for your employees
A dedicated midweek wellness day addresses some of the most pressing challenges your employees face: keeping stress low and preventing burnout.
Wellness Wednesday offers an ideal opportunity to break from the daily grind, taking time to refuel and re-focus.
Here are a few benefits of prioritising wellness, especially midweek for your employees.
Reduced stress and burnout
By having Wellness Wednesdays, your team members can better manage stress and prevent burnout.
According to a study titled “Effects of combining physical activity with mindfulness on mental health and wellbeing: Systematic review of complex interventions”, combining mindfulness and physical activity helps improve mental health and wellbeing.
Increased productivity
According to a study titled “Workplace stress and productivity: a cross-sectional study”, well-rested employees are more productive than employees under work stress.
Splitting the week with a wellness break in the middle can help your team members concentrate and be more effective in their jobs. When you value the wellbeing of your employees, they will be more satisfied with their work and stay motivated to give their best.
Better mental health
Activities during Wellness Wednesdays, such as meditation, mindfulness, or even group relaxation exercises, benefit employees and their mental health.
They allow you to create a recurring opportunity for your team members to take care of their mental wellness, which is paramount for being happy and resilient over the long term.
Benefits for employers
Wednesday wellness is clearly a positive action for employees, but it’s also a great way to elevate your organisation’s culture and outcomes.
Here are some of the ways it benefits you as an HR professional.
Higher retention rates
Wellness Wednesday initiatives can set your company up for a successful future and create a positive and supportive work environment that reduces turnover and helps you attract and retain top talent.
Reduced absenteeism
Less stressed employees are healthier and less likely to take sick days. You can expect fewer absentees and workflow disruptions by promoting wellness.
Better adaptability to workforce trends
Wellness Wednesday is one of many initiatives that keep your organisation on track with workforce trends and a modern, forward-thinking approach to employee wellbeing. To make the most of the season, consider launching a Summer Wellness Challenge that encourages employees to stay active, healthy, and engaged throughout the summer months.
With wellness becoming a top priority for employees everywhere, Wellness Wednesday sets the tone for your organisation to be flexible and align with changing workplace values.
Top 25+ best Wellness Wednesday ideas
Here are 25 unique Wellbeing Wednesday ideas for staff to energise them and create a positive work culture.
On-site activities
These activities bring wellness right into your workplace, offering your team members an opportunity to unwind and connect without needing to leave the office.
1. Chair Yoga class
Bring in a yoga instructor to guide a chair yoga session during lunch breaks.
Cost: £150–£300 per session.
Benefits: The benefits include reduced stress, improved posture, and increased flexibility.
2. Massage therapy
Hire a licensed massage therapist for mini chair massages.
Cost: £1–£2 per minute per employee.
Benefits: This can boost employee relaxation, reduce tension, and promote a calm work atmosphere.
3. Healthy snack bar
Set up a snack bar with nutritious options like fruits, nuts, and yoghurt.
Cost: £50–£150, depending on team size.
Benefits: This encourages healthy eating habits and provides a quick energy boost.
4. Wellness room setup
Dedicate a quiet room for mindfulness or relaxation where employees can take short breaks.
Cost: £100–£300 for furniture and supplies
Benefits: It offers a calm space to de-stress and recharge.
5. Guided group stretching
Organise a 10-minute stretching break led by a professional or an enthusiastic team member.
Cost: Free to £100 for a trainer
Benefits: Regular stretching prevents stiffness, enhances flexibility, and refreshes focus.
6. In-house fitness class
Host a quick, high-energy workout, such as Zumba or cardio dance, in the office.
Cost: £50–£200 per session
Benefits: This will energise the team, improve cardiovascular health, and build camaraderie.
Virtual Wellness Wednesday activities
Virtual activities allow remote teams to participate in workplace wellness efforts, fostering a sense of inclusivity.
Tools like Teamupp’s app make virtual challenges engaging and easy to organise.
7. Remote step challenge
Using Teamupp’s app, organise a remote step challenge where employees track their daily steps.
Cost: usually around £0,5 to £1 per employee
Benefits: It encourages physical activity, boosts energy levels, and can be done from anywhere.
8. Online meditation session
Host a guided meditation session via video conferencing.
Cost: Free to £20 per employee
Benefits: Meditation enhances mental clarity, reduces stress, and promotes mindfulness.
9. Virtual cooking class
Arrange a virtual cooking class featuring healthy recipes.
Cost: £100–£300 per session.
Benefits: It is a fun, interactive way to promote healthy eating and team bonding.
10. Digital book club
Start a virtual book club focusing on wellness books.
Cost: Free or cost of books
Benefits: It fosters learning, community, and personal growth and wellness discussions.
11. Home office ergonomics workshop
Host a virtual workshop on setting up ergonomic workspaces.
Cost: £100–£200 per session
Benefits: This helps remote employees improve posture and prevent strain.
12. Remote Yoga class
Set up a virtual yoga session for remote employees to join from home.
Cost: £20–£50 per session.
Benefits: Yoga boosts flexibility, reduces stress, and promotes overall health.
13. 50K biking challenge
With Teamupp’s app, create a biking challenge where employees collectively cover a distance of 50K.
Cost: A few cents for the app and cost of bike rentals
Benefits: It promotes teamwork, fitness, and a fun group goal.
14. Group volunteer day
Organise a day for employees to volunteer at a local charity.
Cost: Free
Benefits: Volunteering promotes a sense of community, teamwork, and purpose.
15. Creative art workshop
Host an art class where employees can express themselves through painting or drawing.
Cost: £200–£400
Benefits: Creativity boosts mental health and provides a relaxing break.
16. Team hiking trip
Arrange a local hiking trip to a scenic spot.
Cost: Free or cost of transport
Benefits: Hiking promotes physical fitness, reduces stress, and allows team bonding.
17. Office planting day
Provide small indoor plants for each employee to care for or start a team gardening project.
Cost: £5–£15 per plant
Benefits: It boosts morale, adds greenery to the office, and encourages a nurturing spirit.
18. Puzzle or escape room challenge
Organise a problem-solving game like an escape room.
Cost: £10–£30 per person
Benefits: These activities improve teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
Mindfulness and reflection activities
Mindfulness-focused activities offer quiet moments for reflection, promoting inner peace and mental clarity.
19. Gratitude circle
Dedicate a few minutes where team members share something they’re grateful for.
Cost: Free
Benefits: Gratitude practice improves mood and creates a positive team environment.
20. Guided journaling
Provide notebooks and prompts for a 10-minute journaling session.
Cost: £2– £10 per notebook
Benefits: Journaling encourages self-reflection, stress relief, and mental organisation.
21. Mindfulness workshop
Bring in an expert to teach mindfulness techniques.
Cost: £100– £200 per session
Benefits: This will support mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.
22. Breathing exercises session
Host a session focused on deep breathing exercises.
Cost: Free to £50 per session
Benefits: Breathing exercises relieve stress, enhance relaxation, and improve concentration.
23. Mindful lunch break
Encourage a mindful lunch where employees enjoy their food slowly and without distractions.
Cost: Free
Benefits: This practice enhances focus, appreciation, and relaxation.
Outdoor activities for Wellness Wednesday
Outdoor activities allow your team members to reconnect with nature, recharge, and enjoy some fresh air.
24. Outdoor yoga session
Arrange an outdoor yoga class in a nearby park.
Cost: £50– £100 per session for the instructor
Benefits: Yoga in nature boosts mood, reduces stress, and enhances physical fitness.
25. Outdoor team picnic
Plan a team picnic with healthy snacks in a scenic area.
Cost: £10– £20 per person
Benefits: Picnics foster team bonding, relaxation, and socialisation.
26. Nature photography walk
Provide cameras or phones for a photography walk, where employees capture inspiring natural scenes.
Cost: Free to £100 for equipment rental
Benefits: This encourages creativity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the outdoors.
Are you interested in contributing to employees' daily wellbeing?
Implementing Wellness Wednesday: a step-by-step guide for your organisation
Now that you have a few ideas to choose from, you need to follow the right steps to ensure a successful wellbeing Wednesday.
Here are simple, easy-to-implement steps to organise a wellness activity.
1. Define your objectives
Decide on the primary goals you want to accomplish with the activity.
Do you want to reduce your team members’ stress, improve morale, or encourage fitness? Pick a specific goal and plan the activities addressing them.
2. Communicate about initiative
Once you have decided to implement the initiative, the next step is to communicate it clearly to your team. Tell them about the details, the activities you are planning to do and the benefits they will get from them.
3. Gather employee input
You can survey team members or hold a meeting to understand what they prefer. Doing it will ensure that the initiative is in the interests of your employees and will increase partition.
4. Create a rotating schedule of activities
Have alternate activities weekly to keep your teams engaged. You can even have a team to plan and oversee activities, ensuring that your efforts align with what your team expects and wants.
5. Make participation easy
Organise logistics, such as timing, location, and any resources needed, to ensure accessibility for everyone.
You can organise an effective Wellness Wednesday initiative with these simple steps. Just make sure that you are tuned in to your team’s needs.
Evaluating Wellness Wednesday's impact on employee wellbeing
Merely organising a wellbeing initiative is not enough. You need inputs from your employees about what they liked and disliked about it.
This input is crucial to improving your future initiatives and making your team members feel heard.
Here are a few ways you can evaluate the impact of your Wellness Wednesday initiative:
- Record attendance for each activity to assess engagement over time.
- Distribute short, anonymous surveys asking employees about enjoyment, perceived benefits, and suggestions.
- Include questions on specific wellness indicators like stress levels, energy, and job satisfaction.
- Track indicators such as sick days taken and employee retention rates to observe trends related to wellness.
- Use data to adjust and improve Wellness Wednesday activities, ensuring the initiative continually benefits your team.
Are you interested in contributing to employees' daily wellbeing?
