Prioritising wellbeing in events can be transformative for the wellbeing of everyone involved: host, attendees and local community alike.
it’s been a stressful past few working years everywhere and employees often find themselves more than a little bit frazzled, in desperate need of self-care. As a professional event planner or organiser, prioritising wellbeing at your events is not just a trend, but a necessity. Here’s why wellbeing should be at the top of your events agenda, and how you can seamlessly integrate it into your planning process.
The need for wellbeing
The work environment today for everyone is characterised by tight deadlines, high expectations, and 24:7 connectivity, often resulting in significant stress and burnout among employees. According to studies, including those from the World Health Organisation, chronic stress can lead to a raft of health issues, ranging from anxiety and depression to cardiovascular diseases. By incorporating wellbeing into your events, through wellbeing-themed away days, meetings and conferences with a wellness agenda or summer parties that focus on a connection with nature, you will offer everyone attending a much-needed respite and an opportunity to recharge.
Venue selection
The choice of venue plays a crucial role in any events which focus on wellbeing. Look for venues that offer ample outdoor spaces, green areas, and natural light. Exposure to nature and natural light has been proven to enhance mood and reduce stress. Venues with outdoor spaces allow for activities like forest bathing, a practice that involves immersing oneself in a forest environment to improve mental and physical health.
Also consider venues that also offer sustainable travel options. Promoting eco-friendly transportation not only aligns with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values but also reduces the environmental impact of your event. Destinations that support sustainable practices are incorporating a holistic approach to wellbeing, benefiting both attendees and the local community.
Creating a personalised wellbeing experience
One of the key aspects of integrating wellbeing into your events is to offer it as a highly personalised experience. Every attendee is unique, and their needs can vary hugely. Providing flexible and personalised schedules allows participants to pace themselves, avoiding the stress of back-to-back sessions. The flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals with neurodiversity, who may require quieter environments or breaks to manage sensory overload. Consider offering quiet spaces where all attendees can retreat to decompress and reflect. These can be designated rooms or areas within the venue equipped with comfortable seating, soothing music, and minimal distractions. Spaces like these are vital for those who need a moment of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy event.
Curating mindfulness and wellness activities
Integrating mindfulness and wellness activities into the event can further enhance attendee wellbeing. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and yoga sessions, offer participants a way to manage stress, improve focus, and enhance their overall mental health. Including guided meditation sessions during breaks or at the start and end of each day could help attendees centre themselves and maintain a calm and focused mindset throughout the event. Yoga, whether gentle stretching sessions or more vigorous practice, can also provide a physical outlet for stress and a way to boost energy levels.
Wellness-themed workshops could also be a great addition. These could be planned to cover a range of topics from stress management techniques, resilience building, and work-life balance strategies, right through to to nutrition and healthy living. Bringing in experts to lead the workshops would ensure everyone receives the best quality, actionable advice that they can then implement in their daily lives.
Incorporating local culture and community support
If your event spans multiple days, providing attendees with the opportunity to experience the local culture can significantly enhance their wellbeing. Organise cultural excursions, local food tastings, and interactions with the community. This not only enriches the attendee experience but also supports the local economy, creating a positive legacy for the event. Encouraging attendees to extend their stay beyond the event itself is also promoting their wellbeing. After a long journey, having the option to relax and explore the destination at a leisurely pace can be rejuvenating. The extension can be positioned as part of the event’s agenda, emphasising the importance of taking time to unwind, slow down, and enjoy your surroundings.
Healthy food choices
Nutrition is a cornerstone of wellbeing. Offering healthy food choices at your events can have a major impact on attendees’ energy levels and overall experience. Work with caterers to provide balanced meals that include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Consider dietary restrictions and preferences, ensuring there are options for everyone, including those with allergies, vegans, and vegetarians.
Incorporating wellbeing into your event menu goes beyond just food. Provide hydration stations with infused water, herbal teas, and healthy snacks like nuts and seeds. This attention to detail shows attendees that their health and comfort are paramount, fostering a positive and caring event atmosphere.
The ‘halo effect’ of your wellbeing event
Wellbeing-focused events do more than just benefit the attendees during the event itself; they can create a lasting impact that can extend to the host community and beyond. When you prioritise wellbeing, you set a standard for future events, encouraging other planners and organisations to follow suit. This ‘halo effect’ can lead to a broader cultural shift towards prioritising mental and physical health in the workplace and at events.
Supporting the local economy through your event choices – such as using local vendors, artisans, and performers – also creates a positive circular relationship. Attendees feel more connected to the local community and culture, and the community benefits economically, enhancing the overall sense of wellbeing for everyone connected with the event.
By consciously weaving in wellbeing to all events, professional event planners can make sure their events are not only successful but meaningful and transformative for the wellbeing of everyone involved: host, attendees and local community alike.
For more ideas, or for more information about selecting the perfect venue for your wellbeing-focused corporate event and then planning and styling it, contact the Evolve Events team. We have the experience and knowledge to assist you in curating the entertainment, catering and logistics to create an unforgettable family party.
TEL : 020 7610 2808 – EMAIL : anna@evolve-events.com