Summer Wellness Challenges For The Workplace

Beach days, extended daylight, and impromptu picnics mark the arrival of summer, inviting everyone to savor the great outdoors. Amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to prioritize employee health and safety while making the most of the sunny days ahead. This article offers several summer wellness challenge ideas and tips for a healthy, happy season.

Summer Wellness Challenges For The Workplace

Hydration Challenge

The summer heat calls for increased attention to hydration, making it the perfect time for a workplace hydration challenge. Encourage employees to set daily hydration goals and monitor their intake. Support their efforts by:

Providing company-branded water bottles, ideally marked with measurements to help employees visually track their intake.

Setting up hydration stations in high-traffic areas of the office, making it convenient for employees to regularly refill their bottles.

Offering small incentives for those who consistently meet their hydration targets, such as wellness-related prizes or extra break time.

Step Into Summer Challenge

Launching a step challenge encourages employees to boost their physical activity and spend more time outdoors. While the number of steps they need to stay healthy may vary, invite team members to set personalized targets and monitor their progress with a wearable device or fitness tracking app. Support their journey by:

Providing stipends through lifestyle spending accounts, allowing employees to invest in wearable devices or walking and running gear.

Organizing weekly walk-and-talk meetings or lunchtime walking groups to boost step counts in a social, engaging way.

Offering incentives for reaching weekly or monthly step goals to increase motivation.

Free Template: Organize A Step Challenge at Work CTA

Summer Safety Challenge

During the hot months, the risks of heatstroke, sunburn, and dehydration increase significantly. Initiating a summer safety challenge encourages employees to prioritize sun safety, heat awareness, and travel precautions. Increase participation and awareness by:

Distributing sun protection kits including products such as sunscreen, company-branded hats, and UV-protective sunglasses.

Organizing informational sessions on recognizing and preventing heat-related illnesses and safe travel practices.

Setting up weekly challenges that encourage safety measures, like sharing a selfie wearing a hat or hitting hydration goals.

Summer Recipe Showdown

Invite employees to show off their culinary creativity by submitting their best nutritious summer recipes. This fun and flavorful challenge sparks friendly competition while promoting balanced eating habits. Support the showdown with the following steps:

Ask employees to submit healthy summer recipes featuring seasonal fruits, vegetables, or other healthy ingredients.

Compile the recipes into a company cookbook that can be shared digitally or printed for all participants, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Host a potluck where employees can sample the dishes and vote on their favorites. Offer prizes for the most creative or tastiest dishes to keep the competition lively.

Unplug Challenge

In today’s digitally connected world, constant online engagement can lead to digital fatigue, stress, and even a sense of isolation. To counter these effects and promote mental health and work-life balance, initiate an ‘unplug challenge’. This encourages employees to disconnect from digital devices and enjoy outdoor activities throughout the season. Start by:

Implementing screen-free lunch hours, encouraging employees to step away from their computers during the workday.

Inviting team members to share their favorite ways to unplug, such as exercising, spending time outdoors, or losing themselves in a good book.

Encouraging employees to commit to screen-free hours each evening, helping them to unwind and recharge.

10 Summer Wellness Tips

Share these quick tips with your team to ensure they stay safe and healthy this summer!

Aim to drink at least 64 ounces (roughly 2 liters) of water each day to stay hydrated in the heat.
Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables, like cucumber, celery, and watermelon to boost hydration.
Cut down on caffeine and alcohol in extreme heat to prevent dehydration.
Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before heading outdoors, even on cloudy days.
Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays for optimal sun protection.
Opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants made of lightweight, tightly woven fabric to stay cool while protecting against UV rays.
Avoid peak sun hours by exercising outdoors in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler.
Plan outdoor activities in shaded or cooler locations to stay comfortable and safe.
Ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning is fully operational before summer travel.
Keep an emergency roadside kit in your vehicle, including water, a first aid kit, a wireless cell phone charger, jumper cables, and any other essentials.

By incorporating these wellness challenges and tips, you can ensure a season that is both enjoyable and safe for your team. From staying hydrated in the heat and sampling seasonal produce to practicing diligent sun safety, each initiative is designed to promote well-being while addressing summer’s unique opportunities and challenges. This season, let’s prioritize wellness alongside enjoyment to guarantee an unforgettable summer!