Wondering how you can celebrate World Health Day at work with your employees? You’ve come to the right place. World Health Day is an annual celebration on April 7th that aims to raise awareness about global health issues and encourage healthy living. Since its inception in 1950, it has become a significant event that unites people from all corners of the world to take action toward improving health outcomes for everyone.
Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) selects a theme that focuses on a specific health concern. Past themes have included mental health, food safety, and universal health coverage. This year, the theme is “Health For All,” which envisions a world where everyone has access to good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
As an organization, you can play a vital role in promoting better health outcomes for your employees. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, we have some ideas for you!
Here are 5 ways you celebrate World Health Day at work with your employees
1. Company walk
Consider organizing a company walk for World Health Day. This event can be enjoyed whether you’re working in an office or remotely.
If your team is all in one location, consider taking a stroll around the office if possible, or plan a trip to a nearby scenic outdoor area such as a beach or park. This offers a chance for employees to connect and improve their physical wellbeing through exercise and fresh air. Not only will the walk be a fun team-building activity, but it will also help promote a healthy work environment.
If your team is working remotely, ask everyone to block off a portion of their workday to get active and take a stroll outside.
2. Paid wellbeing day
Consider offering a paid day off to your employees in honor of World Health Day. This can provide an opportunity for them to focus on their mental health, engage in physical activity, or simply take time to unwind and destress.
Not only does offering a paid wellbeing day show your employees that you value their health and recognize the importance of work-life balance, but ultimately it can also lead to increased productivity and overall job satisfaction. Studies have indicated that employees who maintain good physical, mental, and emotional health tend to perform better at work compared to those who do not prioritize their wellbeing.
3. Fundraising event
Organizing a fundraising event for a nonprofit donation can be an effective way to give back to the community and support a cause that’s important to your team. On a day like World Health Day, choosing a nonprofit committed to improving health in some way can be a great opportunity to make an impact.
By hosting a fundraising event, your company can demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility while benefiting the community. Your employees will have an opportunity to work together towards a shared goal, which can increase engagement and motivation. Additionally, the event can help improve your company’s public image and reputation, while potentially providing tax benefits.
4. World Health Day virtual challenge
Looking to boost employee engagement and wellbeing on World Health Day? Consider organizing an exclusive company challenge with a virtual twist, and involve your employees from across the globe. With a variety of healthy activities to choose from, you can select a challenge goal that aligns with your corporate strategy and gets everyone moving and motivated.
You can either have employees work together to achieve a general goal (500 wellness points, for example), or the end goal could be to unlock a donation to a nonprofit of your choice (500 wellness points unlocks the donation).
Here are some activity examples you can choose from:
• Running
• Hiking
• Walking
• Biking
• Swimming
• Meditating
• Volunteering
• Healthy eating
By using a platform like teroGO for your World Health Day Challenge, you can customize the theme to be all about exercise, mindfulness, social impact, sustainability, or a combination of all those elements for a holistic approach. With the option to connect fitness trackers, such as Strava, Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple Health, your employees can easily sync their healthy activities directly to the platform.
With the added opportunity to donate to a nonprofit of your choice, you can combine the benefits of a fundraising event with employee engagement and wellbeing.
5. Provide a healthy meal
In celebration of World Health Day, consider showing your employees that you care about their wellbeing by offering a healthy meal. If your team is working in the office, cater a nutritious meal for everyone to enjoy together. This is a great opportunity to bond over healthy food choices and promote a culture of wellness.
If your employees are working remotely, you can still provide a healthy meal by offering a voucher for a meal delivery service, for example. This way, your team can order a nutritious lunch and feel appreciated for their hard work.
By offering healthy meals, you’re not only encouraging good eating habits but also promoting a positive workplace culture. This gesture can contribute to employee engagement and help your team feel valued and supported.
Now you’re ready to celebrate World Health Day at work with your employees
At its core, World Health Day is a call to action for individuals and organizations to create a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our global community. We hope these ideas inspire you to take action and engage your employees in meaningful ways this World Health Day.
Written by Kelly Baker, Content Marketing at teroGO
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