Ideas for wellness program activities

Your choice of activities should be informed by your needs-assessment data, goals, objectives, employee interests, and budget. However, even within these parameters there are many different directions you can take when selecting activities. Here are some examples of activities and programs to start your thinking process.

Wellness Interest Survey

Employee Wellness Interest Survey (PDF)

Health Screenings:

  • Blood pressure
  • Breast cancer
  • Skin cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Cholesterol
  • Eye exams
  • Body-fat testing
  • Flu shots
  • Posture screening, spinal analysis
  • On-site child immunizations
  • Prostate cancer screenings
  • Fitness testing
  • Depression screenings

Awareness, Education, and Support:

  • Lunch-and-learn or brown-bag wellness seminars (see your EAP for a list)
  • Nutrition and diet information, plus provide healthy food alternatives in your vending machines and cafeteria, and provide food storage and preparation facilities to encourage healthier eating
  • Prenatal care
  • Balancing work and personal life
  • Elder care
  • Cancer survivor support groups
  • Financial education
  • Seatbelt safety

Physical Activities:

  • On-site fitness center or exercise room
  • Walking and/or running club (during lunch hour or breaks)
  • Bike rack on premises (so employees can ride to work or during lunch)
  • Mind/body classes (yoga, tai chi)
  • Team sports (volleyball, basketball, softball)
  • Host an exercise equipment swap

Stress-relievers:

  • Laughter bulletin board where employees can post jokes and cartoons (in good taste)
  • Visiting massage therapist
  • Book discussion group
  • Stretch breaks
  • Group lunches or celebrations
  • After-hours activities

Lifestyle Change or Behavior Change Programs:

  • Tobacco cessation
  • Weight management
  • Substance abuse
  • Physical activity
  • Stress management

Disease Management Programs:

  • Back pain
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Hypertension

Safety and Prevention programs:

  • Back-injury prevention training
  • Ergonomic education
  • Hand-tool safety
  • Fire-extinguisher use