Summer Wellness Challenge Ideas to Inspire to Get Employees Active and Energized

The summer season presents an excellent opportunity for organizations to introduce wellness challenges encouraging employees to lead healthier, more active lifestyles. With longer days, pleasant weather, and an overall sense of rejuvenation, employees are often more receptive to engaging in activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing.  

Walking Wellness Challenge

One of the simplest yet most effective wellness challenges is a walking challenge. However, in the heat of the summer, it can be difficult to exercise outdoors. Encourage employees to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day by walking before or after work when the temperatures have dropped. There are even benefits to moving your workout to the mornings. In addition, make sure the marketing materials you use for the challenge remind employees to hydrate throughout the day, know their risks, and adjust their workout to the heat. Click here for more tips on safely working out in the summer.  

Outdoor Activity Wellness Challenge

Enjoy the weather by encouraging employees to engage in outdoor activity challenges. Incentivize summer activities like hiking and biking to swimming and kayaking. Bonus points if they can get others to join! Take it up a notch by having an office “field day.” Form teams and compete in outdoor activities, lawn games, and team building. This challenge boosts physical fitness and allows employees to bond and create lasting memories.

Healthy Habits Wellness Challenge

Not all wellness challenges have to center around physical fitness. In the peak of the summer heat, try introducing a healthy habits challenge. This challenge incentivizes employees to add healthy “habits” or practices into their everyday lives. These habits include cleaning up their sleep routine, trying one new workout class per week, or creating a financial budget.  

Recipe Wellness Challenge

The summer is a great time to implement a recipe challenge, with so many fruits and vegetables being in season. Inspire employees to try new recipes once a week, incorporating at least one seasonal food per meal. Provide additional points to those who take pictures and share their creations!

The USDA has a handy seasonal produce guide that you can share with your employees.

Go Green Wellness Challenge

Do something good for your employees and the Earth with an eco-friendly challenge. Encourage employees to swap their typical habits with a “greener” option to promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Instead of driving down the street, they could ride their bike or walk, reduce single-use plastics, start a compost bin, and more.

Hydration Wellness Challenge

Proper hydration is essential, particularly during the summer months. Support employees with a hydration challenge, where they track and maintain their daily water intake. Provide reusable water bottles as incentives or organize workshops on hydration benefits. Keeping employees well-hydrated improves their energy levels, focus, and overall health.

Implementing summer wellness challenges promotes physical activity and enhances employee engagement, teamwork, and wellbeing. By incorporating activities that align with the warm weather and rejuvenating spirit of summer, organizations can effectively motivate employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Whether through step count challenges, outdoor activities, virtual contests, or volunteering initiatives, these challenges provide opportunities for employees to connect, support one another, and experience the positive impact of wellness on their lives. Embrace the summer season as a catalyst for healthier habits and a more active workforce.