Do you want your organisation to thrive? Then make your employees happy. They will put their 110 percent on their work leading your company to blissful success.

It’s that simple. But then again, what is it that will make them tick?

Indeed, there are easy health and wellness steps you can follow for a fit, happy and productive workforce.

Let’s dig deeper into some of the cheerful activities that you can emulate to brighten your employees’ days and make them a happy lot.

Ready? Let’s spread the cheer…

1. Let the Adults Colour

Colouring is no longer reserved for kindergarten. Adult colouring is actually great for mental, emotional and intellectual health. Purchase adult colouring books or download colouring pages from the internet. On stressful days, your employees can take a break to colour. It will reduce anxiety and improve their focus.

2. Master Proper Breathing Techniques

We hardly think twice about breathing; often taking it for granted. Even so, practising proper breathing techniques will have an impressive impact on your mood, mind and body. Also, you will sleep better. And good sleep equals a vibrant being.

Here are some benefits of proper breathing;

  • Increased physical energy
  • Increased feelings of calm and well being
  • Balanced levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
  • Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
  • Reduced stress hormones in the blood
  • Increased physical activity
  • Improved immune system functioning

3. Magical Celebrations: Employee Birthdays and Anniversaries

Backed up by research, one of the most profound motivators for an employee is recognition. It’s noticeable and has a longer lasting effect on the employee.

“Organisations with recognition programs which are highly effective at enabling employee engagement had 31% lower voluntary turnover than organisations with ineffective recognition programs.” (Bersin by Deloitte, The State of Employee Recognition, 2012)

One of the most effective ways to show recognition and boost morale is to celebrate your staff’s birthday and anniversary. It will give that one person a chance to stand in the limelight and enjoy individual recognition all day.

Ensure you never overlook anyone’s birthday by setting up the dates on a notification software. Here are some tips to help make the day memorable;

  • Have a birthday lunch out or order food in
  • Have a scrumptious potluck
  • Take a quick break to cut cake and sing
  • Give a day off
  • Give a voucher

In addition to that, you can pass a card around for everyone to sign. Also, decorating the honoree’s office or workspace is a neat way of showing recognition. The power lies in the fact that their special day is being celebrated.

4. Epic Family Day for Everyone

Another great way to spread the cheer and boost good moods in the office is by hold a family day event. It shows that you are not merely colleagues. It says we a team, we are a family.

Everyone gets to bring their entire family to the workplace or to a scenic park. Here the children can play as the adults mingle and socialise for a fun packed day. Here are a few tips to consider while planning;

  • Find activities that are suitable for everyone attending, take note of the age range for the attending children, and any special needs cases so that you can cater to everyone
  • Have a good mix of activities that will cater to each employee’s strengths. The end goal is to have each employee participating in activities they feel they are good at.
  • You could opt for a simpler option of going for professionals who offer corporate family day events.
  • Pass all the relevant information to the family day organisers e.g. ages, dietary needs and disabilities.
  • Plan the event on a convenient day for almost all attendees
  • Choose an accessible location for everyone or provide transport
  • Decide in advance if there will be gifting especially for the children. Company branded goodies are a great idea.

5. Engaging Hobbies and Social Clubs

Extra-curricular activities strengthen employee engagement and motivation. Supporting these activities will also better your employees’ emotional and physical wellbeing. Typically, the employees will create the clubs and you as an employer will often fund them. Some of these hobbies and clubs could be;

  • Sports clubs offering netball, football, badminton, rugby, swimming etc.
  • Book clubs
  • Board games
  • Photography
  • Quilting
  • Choirs
  • Hiking etc.

As your employees come together to socialise and share interests, you will have a more harmonious work environment. Everyone will be happy.

6. Revitalising Massage and Spa Therapy Programs

A massage therapy program is a low-cost solution to deliver employee relaxation and happiness. This much-deserved pampering is also a fantastic body energiser and a circulatory system stimulator.

American Institute of Stress states that an estimated 1 million workers are absent every day due to stress. Repetitive musculoskeletal injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome have become the nation’s leading workplace health cost and account for almost a third of all workers’ compensation awards. Massage has been shown to help in reducing these kinds of injuries, leading to reduced absenteeism, fewer workers’ compensation claims, and less cost to employers.

American Institute of Stress www.stress.org
“Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Reaching Epidemic Proportions” (Jan 18, 2005) © Medical News Today

Jamie Brown, of the Happiness Ninja, encourages taking the massage idea to the next level by bringing massage therapy services to the office. They would rotate and provide a free 15-minute massage to all staff once a week.

7. Make Eating Great

Having a great eating experience is an integral part of happiness. Make it even more pleasant by incorporating these great ideas for not so ordinary lunches

Luscious Rooftop Lunches

With aerial views and a splash of fresh air, rooftop lunches are fantastic. Clean up the top of your building and set up the necessary furniture. Let your employees bring their home made lunches for a unique lunch break. Urge them on to take the stair and burn some calories while at it.

Take on a Raw Food Challenge

Raw foods are well known for their full nutritional and fibre benefits. Why not take a ‘raw foodism’ challenge to savour all the dietary nutrients without all the dangerous additives. See who lasts longer.


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Mix and Mingle Lunches

Organise get together lunches to increase the feeling of belonging. The socialising will make your employees cheerful as they catch a little chit-chat here and there. And you’ll have one happy work family.

Organise Healthy Food Cook-off Events

Here are two suggestions from Louise Soriano from BI WORLDWIDE (Australia) on how to organise a good cook-off. Whether done in teams or as individuals, these two ideas are worth a try

“Potluck” lunch of healthy dishes: Everyone brings a dish to share which invites team building and conversation. During the lunch, each person votes (one person, one vote) on their favourite dish. After meal clean-up, the top three winners are announced. Winners might earn a prize or simply just bragging rights.

Healthy recipe contest: Two to four healthy recipes are published, and individuals choose which one they’d like to make. Everyone brings in their take on the dish for sampling and judging. One winner is chosen for each dish.

Create a Truly Happier Workplace

Are you now ready to start making your staff even happier? Here is a big idea, start emulating these cheerful activities. Go on. Better still, have a look at some more fantastic ideas to boost your team’s health and wellness. They are too good to pass up.


Photo courtesy of Flicker Images by Amtec Staffing