Healthy Workplace Events

Whether a workplace event lasts for a few hours or a few days, the food you eat and the amount of physical activity you get during the event affects your health and productivity. Eating well and staying active during meetings, trainings, conferences, and other business events will help energize your guests and keep them alert and involved throughout the day.

Improving the health and well-being of the workforce increases employee productivity and attendance, and reduces the cost of health insurance.

What Meeting Planners Should Do

If you serve food, make it healthy

Select a Healthy Place to Meet

  • Choose an event location that is safe for participants to take a walk.
  • Check for proper lighting, safe sidewalks and visible pedestrian signs.
  • For overnight meetings, choose accommodations that have:
    • Meeting rooms or is close enough for guests to walk to the meeting;
    • A no-cost fitness facility or one that provides vouchers to a nearby facility;
    • City maps, directions to local parks, and walking trails.

Schedule Breaks

Incorporating physical activity breaks into your meeting will help increase the energy, participation, and productivity of you participants. Research suggests that integrating even short bursts of activity into your day has health benefits.

  • 2-hour meetings: Include a 1 - 2 minute "stand-up-and-stretch" break. Participants can gently stretch their neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and back, and make circles with there arms, head, and hips.
  • 2 - 4 hour meetings: Include a 5 - 10 minute break for walking or schedule a 5-minute light aerobic activity, game, or dance break.
  • All day meetings: In addition to these activities, schedule an active agenda item that encourages participants to take a walk or engage in another physical activity.

Physical activity breaks should be fun, safe, and voluntary. They do not require professional leaders, and they can be modified to fit the needs of your event and guests. Encourage participants to go at their own pace to remain comfortable and pain-free, only doing what feels good and stopping if anything hurts. Provide advanced notice to participants about activities and activity breaks so they can bring the proper attire such as walking shoes, casual clothing, and umbrellas.