By Marie Byrne
The third most stressful job in the world might surprise you behind a pilot and a policeman. That is, unless, you’re an event planner…
This last 20 months has seen more and more people understanding the importance of mental health and spreading awareness about it. Mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing. You can bring in experts to talk about how mental and emotional well-being and why it’s important to treat illnesses holistically. The wellness activities we mentioned below like yoga and meditation can also leave a positive impact on people’s mental health. If your budget doesn’t cover hiring experts, you could use apps like Headspace or Calm for short guided meditation breaks. This works rather well with virtual events or for your employees work remotely or back in the office.
Wellness initiatives at events can improve your attendees’ mood, making them happier and more open to new ideas and experiences. Of course, these ideas aren’t just for your events and attendees. You can also use them for your next team get-together to boost their morale, improve team-bonding, and help them unwind after a hectic event. After all, your event is only as good as your team.
Here, are some easy ways you can incorporate wellness into your next event to ensure a happy and stress-free attendee experience.
Focus on location and atmosphere
- Choose a venue and destination that promotes wellness.
- Work on the decor, style, and aesthetics to make it fit the mood of your event.
- Colours, shapes, smells, and even texture can influence the ambiance of a venue.
- Pleasant-smelling essential oils or more plants can make a huge difference in your attendees’ moods.
Go for food that’s healthy
- Healthy food will nourish your attendees, which means they’ll be fresh, active, and alert.
- Have water stations around the venue so attendees can stay hydrated.
- Include snacks that are healthy and high in protein.
- Keep food diverse, inclusive, and, most importantly, delicious.
Set up recharge zones
- A lounge area where attendees can charge their devices while reading a magazine or doing a crossword.
- Dedicated zen den complete with soothing music, soft lighting, chair massages, and even aromatherapy.
- Mark certain areas of your event as “no-screen zones.” Too much screen-time can also lead to fatigue.
Include wellness breaks
- Yoga
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Breathwork
- Massages
- Workout activities
- Take a walk
- Have a coffee with a colleague
