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Why does every vitality initiative start with habits? 🌞
Your organisation is like a well-oiled machine. Every part has to run smoothly, otherwise you risk the whole engine stalling. And what keeps that engine running? People! Without people, you have an office with empty desks, a shop with no staff or a location with idle machinery. People are the engine of your organisation, and people are made up of habits. It is those daily routines, small or large, that determine how energetic, productive and connected your employees feel. So healthy habits should be the starting point of your next vitality initiative. Find out why habits are not only important for employees, but also for your organisation's culture, and how, as an HR manager, you can use the power of those habits to build a healthy culture.
Time to read: 5 minutes
Healthy habits are the heartbeat of your workplace 🎶
Think of your workplace as a symphony. Every employee brings their own rhythm, and their habits are the notes they play. People make the company, and people have habits—some healthy, some not-so-healthy, and often a mix of both. Some habits are energizing, like grabbing a quick stretch after a meeting, while others—like hitting snooze for the third time—might be a little offbeat. The goal is to sustain the healthy habits while gently helping employees adjust the less beneficial ones. As the HR conductor, you hold the baton to help your team find a harmonious, healthier tune!
Start with vitality initiatives that aim at creating a healthier flow. Suggest swapping sugary coffee for refreshing herbal tea or encourage a “10-minute groove break” where employees can dance, stretch, or walk. By focusing on these small, supportive actions, you’ll create a rhythm that resonates with your employees and their lifestyle goals.
Action leads the way every time đź’ˇ
Everyone often knows what’s healthy and what’s not. You might have heard that it is good to eat more greens, move more often, or drink enough water. But knowing and doing are worlds apart. It’s easy to assume that providing more information, workshops, or videos your employees will automatically lead to change. Don’t get us wrong—valuable insights, practical tricks, and solid science have their place. But in the end, it’s about helping employees move from knowing to doing.
Creating a new habit isn’t always easy, but you can help employees take that leap by leading the way. Show them it’s possible through small actions. Swap out soda for water at team lunches or take a quick post-meeting stretch together. When employees see that they already have the tools and just need a little encouragement, it becomes easier to make those healthy choices. If you lead by example, you show employees that change is doable—and even enjoyable!
Small steps, big wins, epic results 🚶
Ever heard of the butterfly effect? One small flap can change everything. The same goes for habits—one tiny action can create a ripple of health and happiness. Walking for just 20 minutes might feel like a tiny step, but over a year, it’s the equivalent of completing 15 marathons. Swapping one glass of cola for water each day may seem minor, but it saves about 10 kilograms of sugar annually. These micro-moments are powerful, and they prove that even the smallest choices can create a ripple effect of health and energy.
Encourage employees to start small and steady. Suggest parking just a bit farther from the office to add a few extra steps or replacing their usual soda with sparkling water. Over time, these micro-moments add up to marathon-level health, and employees will feel like wellness superheroes without breaking a sweat (well, maybe a little sweat).
Consistency is the not-so-secret sauce đź“…
Without consistency, even the most exciting vitality initiatives can fizzle out, much like a flat soda. Think about it: if employees head to the gym as part of a vitality initiative and spend 30 minutes doing crunches, does anyone walk out with a six-pack? Probably not. Yet, so many initiatives are framed with the expectation that a couple of activities will spark a dramatic transformation. Real change takes time and persistence, not quick fixes.
The key is to make habits stick in ways that feel easy and rewarding. Introduce a fun workplace-wide “Habit Hero Tracker,” where employees can log their progress and earn creative badges like “Snack Swap Superstar” or “Most Zen Morning.” Sprinkle in surprise rewards—perhaps a smoothie voucher for the “Longest Lunch Walk Streak.” It’s not about immediate results; it’s about creating a rhythm that employees want to keep up.
Health is better when shared 🤝
Ever notice how laughter spreads like wildfire? The same goes for healthy habits! When employees come together for vitality initiatives, they spark a chain reaction of positivity and energy. Think of it as a giant group hug—but with more high-fives, a bit of friendly competition, and way less awkward lingering. Each small step feels like a victory the entire team gets to celebrate.
Help employees turn wellness into a shared adventure. Kick off a “Step It Up Challenge” where teams compete to see who can walk the most steps, or start a weekly mindfulness session that doubles as a stress-busting hangout. These shared experiences don’t just make healthy habits more fun—they turn your workplace into a hub of collaboration, connection, and maybe even some happy dancing at the finish line!
