Kick workplace wellness into gear with these swag bag ideas

By Carrie Kramer

Healthy employees are happier and more productive. Seventy percent of people opens in new window who participate in workplace wellness programs say they enjoy high job satisfaction. And they’re valuing things like healthy diets and fitness outside of work too. Eighty-one percent say eating well is important to them, and 76% say they personally prioritize getting enough exercise.

70% of people who participate in workplace wellness programs enjoy higher job satisfaction.

Since many employees spend most of their waking hours at work, it’s crucial they equate the workplace with wellness. Encouraging participation in wellness activities helps boost engagement and contributes to an overall healthier organization. From physical wellbeing to mental health to financial wellness, we offer ideas on how to use workplace wellness swag bags and giveaways to kick workplace wellness into high gear.

Exercise

Encourage employees to move their bodies with exercise challenges and prizes. Start a system where employees earn points for completing different exercises—like walking four times a week, sticking to a fitness routine or doing 20 jumping jacks a day. Form a walking group where team members take a brisk walk during lunch. Start a company softball team. Provide flexibility for employees to make time for exercise during the day.

In a fitness tote, tuck a Yoga Mat with Shoulder Strap, Cooling Pocket Wristband and vacuum bottle. Use this exercise swag bag to incentivize wellness activity participation and reward those who earn a certain number of points.

Relaxation

Feeling calm and relaxed at work can keep morale high. Help team members relax, even in a fast-paced work environment, with a fun five-minute game of Beach Ball toss. Create a calming environment by diffusing Lavender Essential Oil throughout the office. Have staff that work from home? Send them a bottle in the mail.

You can help everyone relax outside of the office with a relaxation swag bag. Start with the Zappa Tote. Fill it with Wooden Stacking Zen Stones, a blossom kit and a Coloring Bookmark with a Color Pencil Six Pack. The wooden stones help improve focus, and the blossom kit is a peaceful activity employees can do at home. And doodling is a great way to de-stress and relax just about anywhere.

Sleep

Enough sleep is vital for healthy, productive employees. Hand each staff a Sleeping Well Pocket Slider to educate them about positive sleeping patterns. Encourage employees to track their sleep, and ask each employee to commit to one healthy sleep habit for a set period. For instance, turning off electronics an hour before bed, cutting back on caffeine or going to bed at the same time each night. Reward those who accomplish their goal with a sleep swag bag complete with a Sublimated Sleep Mask, lavender-scented plush animal and Zen Essential Oil Roller Bottle.

Financial

Financial wellness offers peace of mind and security. Invite a financial advisor to present to your team on topics ranging from paying off debt to saving for retirement. Incentivize employee participation by putting each person who asks a question into a drawing for a financial wellness-themed swag bag. Start with a money belt bag and tuck a dollar sign jar opener and a Bank’R Keychain inside.

You can also offer each team member a Lil Piggy Bank to keep on their desk as a cute reminder to save. For staff with children, provide a Trip to the Bank Sticker Book they can take home to teach their kids about the importance of financial wellness.

Nutrition

Good nutrition keeps employees healthy and productive. Help employees eat plenty of “brain food” by providing a free lunch or snack once a week. Dark leafy greens, protein, fruits and veggies are always a winner. Give each team member a Salad Shaker Set. When you catch staff bringing theirs to work, reward them with a gift card to a local juice bar or a restaurant known for healthy food. At your next meeting, hand out Fruit Infuser Bottles filled with water and fresh berries. Once they get a taste, they’re bound to keep reusing it.

Start a healthy snacks challenge. With a Healthy Snacks Key Points brochure as a starting point, challenge your team to eat only healthy snacks each day for a month. Winners get an insulated bag with a snack pouch filled with dried fruits and nuts, a Colorful Measuring Set and a Glass Food Container with Cutlery.

Social connectedness

Staying socially connected is important for everyone’s overall wellbeing. Whether virtual, hybrid or in-person, give each employee a Melrose Coffee Mug they can use during employer-hosted monthly coffee chats. This is a time for employees to simply catch up with each other and not think about work.

During hot summer days, host refreshing team-building contests. Separate your team into sub-groups and give each team Mix and Shake Bottles, some cash and time to run to the grocery store to buy ingredients. See who can come up with the most delicious smoothie. The winner receives a Jute Button Tote stocked with a vinyl notebook with pen and a Jelly Sticky Pad. Send a fun weekly question to your team that gets everyone chatting and laughing. For instance, “If a dog wore pants, would they cover all four legs or just the hind legs?” For a winner-with-a-twist, give the people who chose the least popular answer 3-Way Pretzel Tins as a prize.

Mindfulness

Being purposefully present and aware of how you’re feeling can boost productivity. On each employees’ desk, place a Raindrop Rope Sling Bag. Stash a Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book and Pencils inside. Include a note encouraging staff to take a moment and color if they ever start to feel overwhelmed. Include a Souvenir Notepad and pen and ask staff to write down their mindfulness ideas and slip them into a jar. Once a week, choose one and share it with the team to inspire and motivate them to stay mindful.

Running in the right direction

With these workplace wellness ideas, you’ll help employees stay healthy and happy in all areas of their lives—from physical to mental to financial. Cheers to good health!

Sources