3 misconceptions about vitality in the workplace 🗑️

Misconception 1: one workshop works wonders 🎤

You may have enthusiastically organised an inspiring workshop on vitality. The feedback from your employees was positive, and it seemed like a great start to raising awareness. But a few weeks later, you notice the enthusiasm fading, and the initiative falling into oblivion. It feels like the workshop didn’t deliver the results you hoped for, leading to the question: was it enough?

A single workshop can spark interest, but real change requires more. Think of it as a warm-up round for a long-distance race—the actual training begins afterwards. For instance, if you’ve held a session on sleep, you could reinforce it with a matching habit challenge, such as “no screen time after 10 PM” or “no caffeine after 4 PM.” These practical actions help employees translate workshop insights into concrete habits that contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Also, consider how to sustain these initiatives. Weekly reminders via a bulletin or shared check-ins during team meetings to exchange experiences can help. By continuously supporting vitality initiatives, you can turn that initial spark into a lasting flame.

Misconception 2: one reminder is enough 🔔

Perhaps you’ve experienced this: you sent out an enthusiastic announcement about a new vitality initiative. Everything seems set, but then… silence. You start wondering: do employees even read my messages? The reality is that one message is rarely enough to grab attention. Sometimes your carefully crafted email gets lost in the sea of daily updates, or an employee happens to be out of the office.

It’s time to appoint yourself as the “Chief Repetition Officer.” Give your vitality initiative consistent attention and don’t hesitate to use multiple channels. Mention it during Monday meetings, display it on the intranet, and send a follow-up email. When you feel like you’re repeating yourself, that’s often the moment your message finally sticks. Employees are more likely to join an initiative if they’ve seen it multiple times and are reminded of its benefits.

For example, if you launch an initiative encouraging employees to “take a short walk every day,” reinforce the message by sharing a weekly story about colleagues already doing it. This not only strengthens the message but also fosters a sense of shared effort and support.

Misconception 3: broader is better 🎯

The desire to offer as much as possible can be tempting. With a new year on the horizon, you might feel inclined to roll out a wide range of vitality initiatives, from mindfulness and healthy eating to exercise and stress management. But beware—the broader your focus, the greater the risk of overwhelming employees and losing engagement.

Instead, choose a few well-thought-out habits for each initiative and build them up gradually. For instance, encourage employees to “stand up once every hour.” This may seem simple, but the long-term impact is significant. Employees can adopt this habit without feeling overwhelmed by expectations.

You can also link each new habit to a fun challenge: who can eat one piece of fruit every day for three weeks? By introducing small, targeted initiatives, you ensure employees feel they’re tackling something manageable—and sticking to it.

Keep experimenting, find out what works, and most importantly, trust in the positive impact of vitality initiatives. The small steps you take now will make a difference in the long run. Workplace vitality isn’t about big, one-time leaps but about patiently and consistently supporting healthy habits that help employees feel better, for good.