How do you choose a new habit to build with your employees? 👀

Choose a Healthy Habit Accessible to Everyone 🤸

When starting a vitality initiative, it’s wise to begin with something achievable for everyone. Think of a small change that doesn’t require extra equipment or preparation and fits easily into the workday. Something so simple that employees can adopt it effortlessly, while still making an impact. For example: standing meetings. A small adjustment, but one that encourages a more active work environment.

It’s also helpful to look at what employees are already doing. Are there existing routines where you can incorporate a healthy habit? For instance, if there are regular coffee breaks, why not turn them into walking moments? By building on existing habits, it feels less like an additional task and more like a natural extension of the workday.

If you notice that employees sometimes struggle to maintain new habits, discussing what they find easy to start with can help. A conversation about their preferences can provide valuable insights and foster a sense of involvement. The more engaged employees feel, the more likely they are to participate enthusiastically.

Get Inspired: Ideas for New Habits 💡

If you’re not sure where to start, it can be helpful to see what other organisations are doing. There are plenty of simple vitality initiatives that have proven to be successful. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Standing meetings 💼: Organise a standing meeting once a week. It doesn’t take extra time but promotes movement and often makes the meeting more efficient. Start with the weekly team meeting and see how it goes.
• Fruit on the table 🍎: Place a basket of fruit in the canteen or on departments one day a week. This makes healthy eating easy and gives employees a literal health boost.
• Compliments day 👏: Plan a day where colleagues give each other compliments. This can be done verbally, in writing, or via a digital platform. It creates a positive atmosphere and strengthens connections between colleagues.
• Walking breaks 🌳: Set a fixed time each week for employees to take a short walk outside. Encourage teams to do this together and motivate participation with something like a calendar to track involvement.

These examples are simple to implement and impactful because they align with daily routines. By choosing an idea that suits your organisation and employees, you create support and make participation feel natural.

Build a Habit That Sticks 🔥

Choosing a healthy habit is just the beginning. The challenge lies in implementing and maintaining it. To ensure the vitality initiative succeeds, it’s important to make it part of the daily culture. Link it to existing rituals. For example, if there’s a monthly team lunch, include a fruit moment. Or end a meeting with a round of compliments.

Visibility also plays a big role. Make sure the vitality initiative is alive within the organisation. Think posters, short emails, or messages via internal communication channels. Make it fun and recognisable. You can even add a gamified element, such as small rewards for the teams that participate the most. This gives employees extra motivation to get involved.

Another way to make a habit successful is through regular evaluations. Ask employees about their experience and whether they have suggestions for improvement. This shows that their opinion matters and strengthens engagement. Repetition is key, but listening to what works for your organisation is just as crucial.

Building a Healthy Work Culture Together 💪

One small, well-thought-out change can make a big difference. By choosing a simple healthy habit that suits your organisation, you lay a solid foundation for greater workplace vitality. Start thinking today about what you and your employees would like to try and watch how one simple step can create a ripple effect of positivity. Vitality initiatives aren’t just good for health; they also enhance team connection and enjoyment at work. That makes it well worth the effort.