What are the best months for organising a vitality initiative? 📅

January: The power of good intentions 🎉

Every HR manager has to deal with employees starting the new year with fresh courage in January. Everyone feels the urge to do things differently, both personally and professionally. This energy is a gift you can harness by launching a vitality initiative to match that wave of good intentions. One way to capitalise on this is to inspire employees with a wellbeing programme that helps them achieve their new goals. Think of a programme where they can track their daily exercise or build healthy eating habits. By capitalising on this, you help them maintain their motivation. For example, you can organise a monthly health challenge where employees can share their progress with colleagues, giving them a sense of belonging and healthy competition at the same time.

In addition, January is a perfect time to invite employees to mental health workshops. The pressures of the new year can sometimes be overwhelming, so offering support in this area is not only welcome, but necessary. That way, you can ensure a vitality initiative that really responds to what employees need.

April: Spring brings change

In April, you will probably notice that the energy in the workplace is getting a boost again. The days get longer, the sun shows itself more, and employees feel like tackling things. This is an ideal time to introduce new vitality initiatives that focus on both physical and mental health.

A simple way to channel this renewed energy is to encourage walks during lunch breaks. This is not only good for your employees' physical health, but also for their mental well-being. For example, organise weekly walking groups, where employees can get out into the fresh air together. By providing that space for relaxation and exercise, you create an environment where vitality is central.

April is also a month when employees often open up to new challenges. This is the ideal time to launch initiatives aimed at personal growth. Think mindfulness sessions, workshops on healthy eating or stress management training. These activities can help to further strengthen the focus on health and give employees the tools to work on their vitality outside work too.

September: Restart after summer

The end of the summer holidays marks a new start for many. After a period of relaxation, employees often return with a renewed focus on their work and personal goals. This makes September a prime month to launch vitality initiatives.

One way to keep motivation high is to organise a vitality initiative in which employees can set their own goals for the final months of the year. For example, you can give them the space to set their own health goals and share them with their team. This way, you work towards a culture where health and well-being are a shared responsibility.

In addition, September is a perfect month to organise team activities that promote team spirit and physical health. Think outdoor activities such as sports tournaments or team-building events. This not only provides a physical boost, but also strengthens the bonds within your team, which contributes to a positive work climate in the long run.

Months to avoid 🔴

As an HR manager, you also know that some times of the year are simply not suitable for launching new initiatives. December, for example, is often a hectic month. Employees have their minds on the holidays and wrapping up the year, which can make it difficult to hold their attention for a new vitality initiative.

It's best to avoid introducing new programmes during this period, but this doesn't mean you can't do anything at all. Instead, focus on small actions, such as offering healthy options during festive occasions at work. That way, you do continue to pay attention to vitality without overloading employees with new information.

August is another month that often proves difficult for launching new initiatives. The holiday period means that many employees are absent, making it difficult to increase engagement. A good strategy is to instead focus your energy on preparing for autumn so that you can launch a banging vitality initiative in September.

Key insights ⚙️

As an HR manager, you have no doubt noticed how important the right timing is when organising vitality initiatives. By strategically choosing when to introduce a new programme, you significantly increase the chances of success.

Avoid the rush of holidays and holiday periods, and instead focus on the times when your employees are open to change, such as January, April and September. Each season offers unique opportunities to properly deploy a vitality initiative to increase your team's engagement and motivation. You have the tools to take your employees' well-being to the next level - all you have to do is find the right timing.

By launching your vitality initiatives at the right time, you create an environment where employees not only become healthier, but also happier and more productive. So, when will you start planning your next initiative?