Top 17 Ways to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace in 2023 (for Remote and Hybrid Teams)

The environment of your workplace is vital to your employees’ well-being. While many companies host activities to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to check on your employees’ mental health all year round. It’s always a good idea to host activities that can support your staff’s mental and physical health! Why not give our ideas a try to genuinely support your employees’ well-being?

Why is it important to host mental health activities at work?

Holding Mental Health Awareness workshops and training helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. With approximately 280 million people in the world having depression, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness and make changes at work to create a safer and healthier workplace for everyone.

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

It’s one full month (May) dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues. It’s an opportunity to reflect on mental health issues in the workplace, and how they can affect employee well-being. Many employers take the time to focus on educating employees about mental health issues during this time of the year to create a healthier workplace for everyone. However, the well-being of employees shouldn’t have to be limited to a month, it should be an essential element of every company’s work culture. 

To help you plan a meaningful and engaging experience that improves workplace well-being, we’ve compiled a short list of our 17 best ideas for celebrating Mental Health Awareness with your remote and hybrid peers. 

1. Stay present with a Mindfulness Session

Help your team tune in with their body and mind with a mindfulness meditation session. Hosted on Zoom, these sessions require no prior experience and are excellent for reducing stress and anxiety These 30 minute-sessions are an ideal way to kick off the day with a Zen attitude. This activity only requires access to Zoom, making it ideal for hybrid and remote teams.

How can a mindfulness session improve mental health in the workplace?

Mindfulness sessions are an easy and meaningful way for teams to unwind in a supportive atmosphere. Mindfulness helps produce new neural networks in the brain which in turn, helps people find new and better ways to cope with stress and emotions at work. 

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Pricing: from £2.5/$3 per person
• Group size: 5-250 
• Equipment: Yoga mat or a beach towel

2. Unleash the power of a Mental Health Trivia

Get ready for an engaging journey through the intricacies of the mind with our Mental Health Awareness Trivia. This interactive event features a variety of games designed to spark laughter and conversation among your remote team, while also addressing the important topic of mental health in the workplace. Led by a skilled facilitator, your team will participate in trivia, pictionary, sorting, and fact-matching activities. Throughout the event, our expert will share valuable insights about mental health, enabling your team to recognize symptoms, offer support to colleagues in need, and manage stress effectively.

How can mental health trivia improve mental health in the workplace?

Throughout the trivia event, your team will acquire practical knowledge that helps them recognize when a colleague is facing challenges and equips them to provide support. By understanding that they’re not alone in their mental health journey, a sense of openness and solidarity is fostered within the team.

• Duration: 30-60 minutes
• Pricing: From £250/$310
• Group size: 6-300
• Equipment: PC or a laptop

3. Time to OM-ify with an Online Yoga Class

Yoga has become a favorite among many remote employees. Companies like Pinterest have included yoga, aerobics, and other classes as employee perks to get their staff moving.  Yoga requires only a beach towel or a yoga mat! Sitting at a desk for more than six or eight hours may cause back and neck pain. Yoga improves posture, reduces fatigue, and also helps sore backs!

How can a yoga session improve mental health in the workplace?

The Bespoke Online Yoga Class is designed for remote workers. Weekly or monthly sessions can reduce stress levels and increase team morale and engagement by allowing everyone to participate simultaneously, regardless of distance.

This session will teach employees mind-body techniques to manage their well-being. As a low-impact exercise, Yoga is known to release feel-good chemicals which reduce anxiety and improve mood.

• Duration: 30-60 minutes
• Pricing: Bespoke
• Group size: 1-500 
• Equipment: Yoga mat or a beach towel

4. Get crafty with a Candle Making Class 

Scented candles aka the ultimate mood lifter. Candle-making experiences are a creative way to relax. With a kit delivered to their doorsteps, employees can fully engage in creative art and be rewarded with a handmade candle that they can burn in their home office for some good vibes. Participants will be guided by our professional host throughout the candle-making process.

How can a candle-making class improve mental health in the workplace?

Working with our hands is known to do wonders for our bodies and minds. Since patience is a learned skill, it provides employees the perfect opportunity to cultivate patience while working on a craft project. This workshop will not only teach participants how to make their own scented candles but also how to turn their home office into a Zen sanctuary. 

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pricing: From £65/$78
• Group size: 12-150 
• Equipment: Candle-making kit (delivered to your doorstep)

5. Tone your nuscles with an Online Pilates Class

Join us for a 45-minute Pilates-inspired exercise class designed to promote healthy habits and well-being. Our expert instructors will guide you through a series of exercises that target major muscle groups while accommodating modifications and advancements to suit all fitness levels. Led by a certified fitness professional, this class is the perfect way to inspire movement, promote a healthy lifestyle, and create a sense of camaraderie among colleagues. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to sweat with style and confidence!

How can online pilates classes improve mental health in the workplace?

The mind-body connection fostered by pilates can reduce stress and anxiety while increasing focus and concentration. Regular exercise also releases endorphins, which can improve mood and overall mental well-being. Additionally, participating in a group exercise class can create a sense of community and support, fostering positive social connections among colleagues.

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Pricing: From £24 per person
• Group size: 6-90
• Equipment: Yoga or exercise mat

6. Get your groove on with an Online Dance Class

Get ready to move and groove with our beginner-friendly Online Dance Class! This 45-minute workshop-style class is designed to help you learn fun and easy choreography while breaking a sweat and having a good time with your work team. With various dance styles to choose from, including modern, jazz, ballet, and music video, you can unleash your creativity and find your inner dancer. Don’t worry if you have no experience; our certified instructors will guide you step-by-step through each routine, ensuring a fun and inclusive experience for everyone.

How can online dance classes improve mental health in the workplace?

Online dance classes can boost mood and reduce stress at work. Not only that, but it’s a great way to connect with coworkers and feel like a part of a team. Plus, learning new dance moves can make you feel accomplished and more confident in other areas of your life.

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Pricing: From £24 per person
• Group size: 6-90
• Equipment: Two yoga mats worth of space (no mats required, just space!)

7. Give your body a break with the Virtual Chair Stretch

Take a break from your sedentary workday and join our Virtual Chair Stretch session! This 30-minute session is designed to provide your body with the love and care it needs, with a set of dynamic and static stretches that will work wonders on stiff necks, painful backs, and tight muscles. Led by certified instructors, we’ll guide you through stretches that focus on counteracting the negative effects of sitting for long periods. You can do it all from the comfort of your desk, making it the perfect way to rejuvenate and refresh your mind and body without leaving your workspace.

How can virtual chair stretch improve mental health in the workplace?

By taking a brief pause from work and engaging in stretches that focus on counteracting the negative effects of sitting for long periods, employees can improve their posture, reduce physical tension, and promote relaxation. This physical release can also positively impact mental health, providing a much-needed break from the demands of work and fostering a sense of calm and clarity.

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Pricing: From £21 per person
• Group size: 6-90
• Equipment: Chair

8. Invest in your team’s well-being with the Burnout Management Workshop

The Burnout Management Workshop consists of three sessions that are conducted online and cover topics such as understanding stress and burnout, addressing stress and burnout through mindfulness, and prevention strategies. The ultimate goal is to create a happier and healthier workforce by reducing the negative effects of burnout.

How can a burnout management workshop improve mental health in the workplace?

Through the workshop, participants can learn how to manage stress, prevent burnout, and implement lifestyle changes that lead to better mental health. By improving employee morale and well-being, the workshop aims to create a happier and healthier workforce.

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pricing: On request
• Group size: 2-200+
• Equipment: PC or a laptop

9. Empower your managers with Wellbeing Skills Training

This course teaches practical ways to create good habits, stay motivated, and manage isolation. By using the latest research and tips from successful remote companies, it can make remote work more engaging, collaborative, and productive. Managers can also learn how to build great teams and create a positive work culture that supports everyone’s well-being.

How can a wellbeing skills training for managers improve mental health in the workplace?

The training can equip managers with research-backed strategies and best practices to foster a supportive and healthy work environment. This enables them to identify and address the unique needs of remote workers, boost engagement and collaboration, and maintain the mental and physical health of their teams.

• Duration: 90-180 minutes
• Pricing: From £827/$1,145
• Group size: 10-200
• Equipment: PC or a laptop

10. Discover your unique voice with the Personal Branding Workshop

Ideal for virtual teams, this Personal Branding Workshop offers practical tips for improving leadership and communication while working from home. Choose from six different topics to tailor the experience to your needs and engage in interactive sessions, designed to foster open conversation and inspire new ideas and solutions.

How can a personal branding workshop improve mental health in the workplace?

By addressing issues such as imposter syndrome and promoting assertive communication, the workshop fosters a more confident and authentic work environment. This increased self-awareness and effective communication can lead to reduced stress, higher job satisfaction, and stronger connections among team members, ultimately contributing to improved mental health within the workplace.

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pricing: On request
• Group size: 2-300
• Equipment: PC or a laptop

11. Stay inspired with a Paint and Wine Class

12. Craft some chocolate with your crew

Chocolate tempering classes are a perfect bonding experience for remote and hybrid teams. The classes start with some chocolate tasting, which as you may already know releases mood-boosting hormones. Chocolate, like exercise, enhances serotonin release and can alleviate depression. Science aside, a Belgian Chocolate Tempering Workshop will put everyone in a good mood, as they relax and socialize.

How can a chocolate tempering class help improve mental health in the workplace?

These classes will delight your employees on a number of levels. The warm chocolate will offer a delightful experience both for your employee’s palates and their other senses.  The class is also an opportunity to help your employees enjoy the rewards of qualities such as patience and perseverance as they master a new culinary skill. 

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pricing: From $60 per person
• Group size: 15-50
• Equipment: Bowl, silicone spatula, food thermometer, small spoon, microwave, parchment paper, ingredients (delivered)

13. Breaking Bread Fridays (for hybrid teams)

As a hybrid team, we know it can be difficult to communicate with everyone at Tagvenue, so we created the breaking bread tradition. It’s not only an age-old team-building exercise but it’s a great way to get everyone at home to gather together as we share a moment over croissants and juice or coffee. Smaller teams work better together when they have a chance to talk and mingle.

How this idea improves mental health at work: 

Everyone enjoys free food. Employers, who encourage Friday attendance not only boost employee morale and productivity, but also make them feel like part of the company, or should we say, family? Getting people out of their homes and offices can help prevent burnout.

14. One-on-one sessions

At Tagvenue, one-on-one sessions have been a must since the start of the pandemic. During meetings, we focus on giving and receiving feedback, recognising and celebrating wins, and listening to colleagues. Employees should not feel reprimanded at any time during the meeting, as the goal is to promote personal growth and ensure employee satisfaction throughout the meeting.

How this idea improves mental health at work:

One-on-ones are free mental health check-ins that can improve employee performance. It allows employees to express their concerns and gain insight into what may be affecting their performance. It’s also a fail-safe way to connect with employees. Read more about managing remote teams here.

15. Create a Slack channel dedicated to gratitude 

It turns out that you don’t have to only celebrate your victories or express your failures when at work. This Harvard study shows that expressing gratitude is important as it helps to acknowledge the good things in life. Creating a gratitude wall on Slack helps people see how others’ actions can contribute to their own happiness.

How this idea improves mental health at work: 

Expressing gratitude allows employees to connect to something larger than themselves, whether it’s the company’s culture, the team, or something else. It also encourages employees to feel more positive emotions and fully enjoy good experiences.

16. Hold a Weekly Mental Check In

Words don’t mean much without intent or follow-through, particularly when it comes to employee wellness. A simple gesture can sometimes mean a lot to your employees. Start with a weekly team mental check-in on Mondays or Fridays to see how everyone on the team is doing. We suggest doing it on communication apps like Slack to allow all members to simply vote on their overall mood during the week.

How this idea improves mental health at work:

These small steps can have a big impact on employee morale and make them feel truly supported by their peers. Burn-outs can be avoided by observing patterns over time.  If you see signs of incipient burn-out, discuss your concerns with the employee in question and discuss ways you can support them. 

17. Online pet show and tell

It’s a well-known fact that pets ease loneliness and help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. So why not host a virtual pet show and tell, and let everyone talk about their fur babies or scaly friends. Who knows? Maybe some of your colleagues might even consider adopting a pet after this. 

How can this idea improve mental health in the workplace?

People love talking about their pets! It’s an excellent way to encourage people to share their personal stories and get to know each other. You might even discover some things about your colleagues during this activity. It doesn’t cost anything and gives everyone the chance to relax and enjoy some virtual cuddles.

Final Thoughts

Mental well-being can be enhanced through learning new skills or through simple changes at work. New skills and experiences not only boost self-esteem but also help employees connect with others and de-stress. Virtual activities make it easier for employees to actively engage in events that positively affect their mental health, so make sure to include some of the above in the workplace.

FAQs

How important is mental health in the workplace?

Workplace mental health is vital. Companies that promote employee well-being reduce absenteeism and maintain employee productivity. Employees have better relationships and morale when their mental health is taken care of.

How can we improve employee mental health in the remote workplace?

There are numerous ways to improve employee happiness. Making awareness of mental health issues part of your workplace culture can help. There are many ways to do this such as setting up challenges to encourage employees to exercise. You may also consider holding mindfulness sessions and other activities to help employees relax, enjoy peaceful moments, and let go of workplace stress. This type of activity can be anything, from a meditation session to a chocolate tempering workshop.

What are some free ways to improve the mental health of remote employees?

There are many free ways to improve the mental health of your remote employee. Here are some of them:

• Make a list of free mental health podcasts on Deezer or YouTube and share it with employees. 
• Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month to encourage employees to openly talk about their struggles. Simply set aside two hours for everyone to gather and discuss mental health. If you have a remote team, use Zoom or Google Meet.
• Dedicate a channel to gratitude on Slack. Showing gratitude can be a simple shoutout for their weekly wins or a personalized meme to uplift their mood.

How can virtual events help workplace wellbeing?

Since 2020, most teams have been working remotely. The activities listed above as well as the other activities mentioned can help employees get a dose of all that they’ve been missing: creativity, interaction, cultural experiences, and, most importantly, relaxation and fun. Our virtual events make it easier for individuals to re-connect and feel less isolated.

What should I  expect from Tagvenue’s virtual Mental Health Awareness activities?

Relaxation and joy. Our professionals will teach your team something new while keeping the mood light. For example, our candle-making classes combine a craft with a dose of aromatherapy. Other virtual events, like yoga or breathwork classes, can change the vibe of the home office by re-energizing employees. Always consult your team before choosing an activity.