All of us need a helping hand from time to time at work, especially in time of stress.
Corporate wellness challenges are the perfect way to help your team feel happier, healthier, and a little less tempted to hit snooze on Monday mornings.
We’ve got 26 of the best wellness challenges to get your teams feeling right, so let’s get into it!
Why use corporate wellness challenges for your teams?
Corporate wellness challenges are a tried-and-tested way to improve the way teams work together. Developing these fun little activities into a corporate wellness program can truly enhance each member’s well-being at work.
Research shows that 84% of employers reported higher employee productivity and performance due to wellness plans. In addition, this Gallup Survey shows how employees who aren’t thriving in their overall well-being are far more likely to experience burnout and disengagement. This shows how employee wellness is a key component for the long-term success of your teams.
These wellness challenges are like an investment into the overall happiness of the entire team. By setting up a few of these challenges, you’re showing your teams that you prioritize their well-being and that you want them to feel satisfied at work.
That investment goes a long way toward creating a team that shines brightly in the workplace.
26 of the best corporate wellness challenges to try
So here are 26 of the best corporate wellness challenges. We’ve sorted them into categories to focus on specific aspects of wellness, like physical, mental, and even nutritional. Check them out:
Mental health and mindfulness challenges
The first category we recommend focusing on is activities for mental health and mindfulness. General well-being starts in the mind, so use these activities to get the most out of each team member:
1. Journey through journaling
Encourage your team to put pen to paper each day and embrace the power of journaling. Whether it's tracking daily habits, celebrating small wins, or simply jotting down thoughts to clear mental clutter, regular journaling can profoundly enhance emotional well-being and reduce stress. Create a cozy, judgment-free journaling corner at your office or host weekly check-ins where employees share their insights (if they're comfortable). This mindful practice helps employees feel more centered, focused, and positively engaged in their workday, promoting better mental health and creating a deeper connection within your team.
2. Kickstarting creativity
Spark some fresh and innovative ideas by dedicating time to creative expression in the office. Make a shortlist of the most exciting challenges for your teams. From painting workshops and photography challenges to team brainstorming sessions or storytelling games, creative activities help employees express themselves and recharge their mental batteries. Why not try "Creative Fridays," where team members take turns leading short creative exercises? Not only does this enhance mental clarity, but it also fosters teamwork and collaboration. Creativity reduces burnout and significantly boosts employee engagement and job satisfaction. Wins all round!
3. Breathe and achieve challenge
Bring mindfulness into the workplace with scheduled "breathing breaks." Set aside five to ten minutes each day for your team to pause, breathe deeply, and reset. You can use guided meditations, calming music, or simple breathing exercises that employees can easily learn. Breathing exercises are scientifically proven to reduce stress and sharpen concentration. They make the whole workplace calmer and more focused. On top of that, bringing mindfulness breaks into the daily routine shows your employees that you’re there for them and endorses their well-being. Expect a happier and healthier work environment with this one.
4. Dream team trackers
Help to kickstart stronger work mornings so your teams can conquer the day by launching a sleep-tracking challenge. Using sleep-tracking apps like Calm or Sleep Cycle can let your team members record the length and quality of each night’s sleep. Make it interactive by getting them to share tips and insights on a weekly basis. They can let each other know the best ways to unwind before bed and develop relaxing rituals. Better sleep leads teams to higher productivity and sharper cognitive function, transforming them into a fully energized dream team - quite literally!
5. Attitude of gratitude
Gratitude can be one of the most powerful forces to improve the wellness of an individual or a whole team. Create a gratitude board (either physical or virtual) where each person can share something they’re thankful for each day. Help them with prompts and encourage variety - recognizing their workmates’ efforts, personal wins, or simple, small moments of joy. Regular gratitude practice is shown to increase overall happiness and strengthen workplace relationships. Making gratitude a regular part of each day can encourage a more supportive and collaborative atmosphere, creating an office that people genuinely love being a part of.
6. Positivity power hour
Set aside an hour each week for “Positivity Power Hour,” when your employees gather to share wins, good news, or inspiring stories. Rotate the theme each week to keep things fresh. Maybe one week everyone celebrates achievements at work, while next week the focus is on personal victories. Any victory can be celebrated, from hitting a deadline to putting a new shelf in the kitchen. By placing a little focus on positivity, you’ll be strengthening team bonds and combating stress. All this, so Mondays feel a little less Monday-ish.
7. Mindset reset
Shift into the perfect gear in the office with a “Mindset Reset” challenge. Encourage each person to reflect a little bit on a Monday morning and set some positive intentions for the day. Give them a few topics to kickstart idealism like “Today I’ll take one challenge with more confidence,” or “Today, I’ll make sure I stay calm even when things don’t go exactly as planned.” Making a regular habit of intention-setting supports a healthier, more positive outlook at work and boosts resilience. This one is perfect for hitting the pause button and remembering that wellness is a priority.
Physical health challenges
Wellness is as much in the mind as it is in the body. Activities focused on physical movement remind teams of the importance of taking care of their bodies as well as their minds. Just make sure the activities are suited to the fitness levels of your teams:
8. Fabulously fit challenge
Motivate physical wellness in your teams by offering group exercise classes. Use a mix of approachable sessions like yoga, dance, or gentle cardio workouts, making sure there’s something for everyone. These sessions hit two birds with one stone, providing a physical outlet as team members grow closer to one another. Workplace stress can be left at the door and you’ll find your team member will likely leave feeling refreshed and recharged.
9. Walk and talk revolution
Swap out your regular seating meetings for energizing walking discussions. Think about all the places near your office that are good for group walks. It could be in nature, in just lesser-explored parts of the city. You could even blend it with a scavenger hunt! Opt for the start of the day to set the tone, or choose lunch breaks to avoid afternoon slumps and stay mentally sharp. People can find inspiration in unexpected places, so take a little time to set up walk-and-talk meetings instead of the ordinary.
10. Yoga flow and glow-up
Are any of your team members experienced in yoga practices? If they aren’t, they might be surprised by the benefits yoga offers. Organize yoga sessions aimed at improving flexibility, balance, and mindfulness, of course, making sure they’re suitable for all experience levels. Yoga creates a powerful blend of physical and mental output, while encouraging breathing techniques that help manage stress. Teams can look forward to developing their yoga poses week by week and will see that you’re invested in their well-being. No mastery of gymnastics required!
11. “Deskercise” sessions
Too much time sitting at a desk isn’t good for anyone. Combat the effects of this with fun, short exercises they can easily perform at their desks. Whether on-site or remote, stretches, gentle strength movements and posture exercises can be revitalizing. “Deskercise” breaks improve circulation and soothe muscle tension, as well as improve overall well-being. They might see that physical wellness doesn’t necessarily have to interrupt their workflow.
12. Team play-offs sports day
Most teams thrive when they’re doing activities with a little bit of healthy competition. If this sounds like your superstars, dedicate a whole day to their physical wellness with a play-offs sports day. Use quick activities that everyone loves, like soccer matches or relay races. If you have the resources for it, you could even turn the day into an epic Office Olympic Event. A sports day like this can create lasting memories and help every team member step away from screens and get their game on! Teamwork develops so much better outdoors!
13. New commute challenge
For our last activity focused on physical well-being, encourage everyone at the office to think about their daily commute, and switch it! Motivate your team to try new commuting options like cycling, walking, or using public transportation instead of driving. Build a community board where each person can track and share their progress. They’ll feel as though they’re celebrating small wins together, which works wonders for team wellness. They’ll also be increasing environmental awareness while trying something energizing.
Nutrition and healthy eating challenges
They say “the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach,” so encouraging better nutritional habits may make a huge difference in the office. These tasty challenges inspire healthier choices, making good eating a fun and rewarding team effort.
14. Veggie power-up
You might have a few vegetarians in the office already, but dedicate some time to bringing tasty veggie options into their daily meals. Create a shared board where each member can share recipe ideas and tasty veggie hacks. A weekly “Veggie Spotlight’ encourages a sense of community and being in this together. Recipe swaps can lead to friendly office banter about who seasoned their dish to perfection, so endorse a veggie power-up challenge to make sure your teams are eating well!
15. Crew cook-off
Get your team's culinary creativity flowing by hosting a friendly cooking competition focused on nutritious, tasty dishes. Members can team up to create healthy meals or snacks, then share their creations during a group tasting session. If you have the time and resources, try bringing in a culinary expert from outside to inject some flair. Prioritise healthy cooking with a cook-off showdown and your teams will feel much better for it!
16. Mindful munching
Encourage employees to slow down, savor each bite, and truly appreciate their meals through mindful eating. Host short, guided sessions or share daily tips to remind the team to eat consciously, away from their desks or screens. Snacking mindfully can help improve their digestion and encourage them to become more aware of their overall nutrition. When your team learns to pause and truly enjoy their food, lunch breaks become mini daily retreats rather than a rush hour in the canteen.
17. Sugar-free sprint
Challenge your team to reduce their intake of added sugars for a set period—perhaps one or two weeks. Give them some guidance on healthier alternatives and encourage employees to share their sugar-free snacks and meal ideas. Cutting back on processed sugar really can improve energy over time, contributing to better overall health. Your team might even realize that not having to deal with an afternoon sugar crash is the best way to be!
18. Snack smarter
Upgrade your team's snack choices by offering healthier alternatives in communal office spaces or remote-work snack packs. Replace sugary and processed snacks with tasty, nutritious options like nuts, fruit, or whole-grain bars. Your team members will see over time the effort you’re showing to support their wellness. Healthier snacks mean their energy levels can be sustained for longer and their focus stays sharper throughout the day.
Social and environment-focused challenges
Double up on the wellness your employees feel within themselves by getting them involved with giving back to the wider community. These activities can bring all of your members closer together while giving them a deep sense of purpose and genuine pride in making a difference:
19. Charity champions
Transform your team into workplace heroes (no cape required) by organizing activities that support local charities and meaningful causes. Take a little time to research organizations near you that give back to the community. Whether it's a company-wide charity run, a bake sale, or a community clean-up day, this challenge can bring everyone together with a shared sense of giving back. By working together and raising money as a team, bonds can tighten and memories can be forged. Giving back feels so much better when doing it together.
20. Crusade of kindness
Start a workplace kindness crusade by inspiring your employees to sprinkle positivity throughout their day. Encourage them to surprise coworkers with small gestures, like a sincere compliment, helping with tasks, or leaving anonymous notes of encouragement at their desk. Set up a "kindness board" (physical or virtual) to share experiences and appreciate colleagues who've brightened their day. This challenge builds a supportive atmosphere, reduces stress, and creates genuine moments of happiness. It serves to remind everyone that even the smallest act of kindness can have a huge ripple effect. Kindness will likely change their interactions outside of the office, too!
21. Nature navigators
Get your employees out of the office chairs and into nature by organizing regular team excursions to local parks, hiking trails, or scenic locations. These outings provide your team with a refreshing break from screens and an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Set fun group goals like snapping wildlife photos or finding the most impressive tree to admire (no need for competitions about the most beautiful pine, though!). Being amongst nature improves mental health, physical wellness, and the bonds that bring people together. Remind everyone how nature makes a fantastic meeting room replacement.
22. Eco warriors unite!
Transform your team into proud Eco Warriors by launching a sustainability-focused challenge. Encourage each person to adopt eco-friendly habits like focused recycling, conserving energy, or commuting sustainably. Create friendly competitions tracking eco-friendly behaviors and celebrate the greenest team members with quirky titles like "Recycling Royalty" or "Energy-Saving Superstar." This challenge boosts your team's environmental awareness while showing the planet some well-deserved love, too. You might even discover which team member has secretly been composting coffee grounds for months (or finally find out who always leaves the office lights on overnight).
Personal and workplace growth challenges
As much as we like to think wellness is a matter of body and mind, we should realise how influential a person’s career growth is. Investing in personal growth and workplace organization sets teams up for long-term success and satisfaction, improving both individual skills and the overall team dynamic.
23. Money mindset development
Help your employees boost their financial wellness by introducing fun yet informative workshops and challenges focused on saving and financial literacy. Support them with professional resources, and bring in guest speakers for insights on managing finances. This can be especially beneficial for younger team members who may have just joined after university. Many companies overlook the amount of help they are giving interns by improving their financial knowledge. By promoting financial awareness, your team members will feel more empowered and less stressed about money matters, which will massively boost their confidence in a professional setting.
24. Bookworm gathering
Spark personal growth and team bonding by establishing a company book club dedicated to personal development, wellness, and inspirational reads. Schedule regular gatherings (with plenty of snacks, of course) where each person discusses insights and favorite chapters of selected books. Some of the best ones we’ve found are Atomic Habits by James Clear, Mindset by Carol Dweck, or The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. Make the setting less formal, so that it feels totally fine to admit when you skip a chapter or two. Book clubs can become fantastic spaces where employee engagement rises, generating new ideas. Each person might finally discover why "everyone is always quoting that habits book."
25. Stretch and refresh
Introduce regular stretch breaks throughout the workday to combat fatigue and improve physical comfort at work. You can either try it yourself, or use outside help from a coach. Through simple, focused stretching routines, you can help them unwind and support a more focused state of mind throughout their day. Think neck stretches after long video calls or gentle shoulder exercises following intense typing marathons. Encourage everyone to take part together as a group, creating an atmosphere of community where nobody feels awkward. Also, making the effort to supply each person with a few resistance bands can really show how much you’re invested in employee well-being. You’ll be working magic and helping them avoid an afternoon slump.
26. Declutter dash
Organize a fun, practical challenge where your team declutters their workspace, inboxes, and digital files. Create a dedicated time slot where each person can organize their space and discard anything they really don’t need. Make it interactive with awards like "Most Impressive Inbox Transformation" or the humorously prestigious "Desk Minimalist Award." By focusing on decluttering, you’re helping to reduce workplace distractions and improve mental clarity. On top of that, they might finally make some space for that cute plant or stress toy they’ve been eyeing.
Amplify team well-being with an unforgettable Surf Office retreat!
If you're inspired to take your team's wellness journey beyond daily challenges and into something unforgettable, Surf Office is the way to go. We make planning your team retreat effortless, handling everything from accommodation and logistics to wellness workshops tailored to your team's needs.
Here’s what we offer:
- Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
- Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
- Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
- Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
- Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
- Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅
Not only this but we also have access to 160+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America, and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.
Spaces are limited, so get in touch with us today!
