To craft a truly innovative workplace wellness strategy, we need to think beyond the familiar, beyond the practices that have become routine and predictable. This is where cultural inspiration offers a fresh perspective.
These ideas have been nurtured for generations in different corners of the world. They are not just wellness trends but deeply rooted in the social and cultural fabric of diverse communities. These aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions; they are thoughtful, unique approaches that bring a sense of novelty, purpose, and connection to wellbeing initiatives.
In this blog, we’ll journey through 8 unique wellbeing practices from around the world, uncovering traditions, philosophies, and rituals that hold the power to inspire transformative changes in how we think about and implement workplace wellness.
By exploring these practices, you’ll discover how to create programs that feel less like corporate initiatives and more like personal journeys.
Why Global Perspectives on Well-being Matter
Employees want wellness programs that acknowledge them as whole individuals with emotional, mental, and social needs, not just workers filling roles. Employees are increasingly seeking opportunities to build meaningful connections with their peers, experience personal growth, and achieve mental clarity in a world often dominated by stress and distraction.
For example, a simple gym reimbursement may no longer suffice for employees who desire wellness practices that connect them to a broader sense of purpose, such as guided journaling workshops or community service days. Others may value initiatives that provide a sense of calm amidst workplace chaos, such as embracing mindfulness practices or offering access to quiet, restorative spaces. The shift in employee expectations challenges HR leaders to go beyond surface-level solutions and invest in programs that cultivate deeper engagement and authentic connections.
What works in one culture may not in another, but by incorporating a range of ideas, HR leaders can create a menu of wellness initiatives that cater to a variety of preferences and needs.
Adopting global perspectives also equips organizations to navigate the challenges of an increasingly international workforce. Multinational companies, in particular, stand to benefit from aligning their wellness strategies with culturally relevant practices that resonate across regions. A global approach fosters unity while respecting individuality, creating a workplace culture where diversity is celebrated, and wellness becomes a shared value.
From a business perspective, a holistic approach to employee wellbeing is directly linked to increased engagement, improved retention, and greater overall happiness among employees. When workers feel valued and supported, they are more likely to bring their best selves to the workplace, fostering a positive culture that boosts productivity and innovation.
Employees who experience genuine care and commitment from their employers are less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere, reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruitment and training. Engaged employees also tend to be more collaborative and aligned with company goals, driving better business outcomes.
Let’s take a sneak peek at some of these practices so you’ll know what you can bring home to your organization.
Amazing Practices You Want To Incorporate In Your Well-Being Policy
1. Ikigai (Japan)
Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy, is often translated as a reason for being. It’s about finding the sweet spot where your passions, talents, and the needs of the world intersect. While Ikigai is traditionally a personal journey, it holds incredible potential when applied to the workplace. Research studies show ikigai helps nurture ‘vitality, positive relations with others, contribution, accomplishment, purpose, and personal growth.’
You have the unique opportunity to bring this philosophy into your organization by helping employees discover their Ikigai and connect it with their roles. A great way to start? Host workshops where employees can pause, reflect, and explore their personal goals and values. These sessions can guide them to think deeply about what truly motivates them and how their aspirations align with the company’s mission and vision.
For example, you could facilitate exercises where employees identify:
- What they love doing.
- What they’re good at.
- What the world (or the organization) needs from them.
- What they can be rewarded for.
You could incorporate this exercise as part of your goal-setting process or performance reviews.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
This deeper connection has a ripple effect. Employees who find meaning in their work are naturally more engaged, productive, and committed. They feel valued not just as workers but as whole individuals, which boosts morale and retention. After all, people who feel fulfilled are people who excel, innovate, and inspire. This practice helps ‘decrease depressive symptoms and hopelessness as well as higher happiness, life satisfaction, instrumental activity of daily living, and certain social outcomes.’
2. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku, Japan)
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is all about immersing yourself in nature and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest around you. Using the external calm environment to instill calmness within that’s the goal. It’s an effective way to let nature’s calm energy wash over you. The sensory benefits of forest bathing are incredible for your mental health. The green hues of the trees and the sunlight filtering through the canopy can have a soothing effect on your mind.
The scent of pine or damp earth has a grounding effect, helping you feel more connected to the present moment. The feel of the breeze on your skin, the rough texture of tree bark, or even just standing barefoot on the forest floor helps you reconnect with your body. This grounding sensation, also known as ‘earthing’, has been linked to reduced inflammation. Research also shows forest bathing drastically ‘reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.’
Now, imagine translating this ancient wisdom into your workplace wellness strategy. Organizing quarterly offsite retreats in nature could be a game-changer for your employees. Whether it’s a serene forest trail, a lakeside escape, or even a quiet botanical garden, these retreats can provide employees with the mental space to breathe, reflect, and simply be.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
The benefits? Immense. Nature has a magical way of melting away stress and promoting relaxation. It’s a natural antidote to the often overwhelming demands of modern work life.
It’s a thoughtful way to show your team that their mental and emotional health matters. Plus, it’s an opportunity to strengthen connections within the team in a calm, rejuvenating environment because sometimes, the best ideas and bonds are formed not in the boardroom but beneath the trees.
Did you know? 💡 |
The ancient Greeks and Romans also recognized the benefits of natural surroundings for health. Hippocrates cites that the Roman gardens were designed as places of refuge from city life. |
3. Laughter Yoga (India)
No jokes, no stand-up comedy routines, just people engaging in the pure joy of laughter combined with mindful breathing. That’s the magic of laughter yoga, a wonderfully lighthearted yet impactful practice that blends yogic breathing techniques with intentional, sustained laughter.
At first glance, it might sound a bit unconventional (and perhaps a little awkward!), but laughter yoga has a way of quickly melting away any initial hesitation. Why? Because laughter is contagious.
The simple act of laughing, even if it’s simulated at first, triggers a cascade of feel-good chemicals in the brain, helping to relieve stress, lift the mood, and foster a positive mindset. And when people who work in close quarters laugh together and have a good time, they naturally feel like they belong together. Like one unit. That’s why it’s ‘an effective method to reduce perceived stress and burnout while also increasing life satisfaction.’
Pair that with deep breathing exercises to calm the nervous system, and you’ve got a powerhouse practice that refreshes both the mind and body. incorporating this into your workplace wellness programs. What if laughter yoga sessions are strategically placed during high-stress periods, like the closing of a major project or after a long quarter of deadlines? Or perhaps these sessions could become a regular feature during monthly team-building activities.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
Employees not only walk away feeling less stressed and more energized, but the shared laughter also strengthens team bonds. It breaks down barriers, encourages collaboration, and creates an environment where people feel more connected and at ease with one another. Laughter yoga is especially effective in breaking up the monotony of the workday.
4. Hygge (Denmark)
The magic of Hygge, a Danish concept, is all about cultivating a sense of coziness, warmth, and contentment. Think of it as creating an environment that feels like a big, welcoming hug. And while it might sound like something better suited to a living room, Hygge can work wonders in the workplace too.
This can include redesigning your office spaces to be more comfortable and inviting, soft lighting that feels soothing rather than sterile, plush seating that practically invites collaboration and warm, earthy colors that instantly make the space feel more human. Now, take it a step further: encourage your employees to bring in personal touches, like a favorite mug, a small plant, or even a family photo. These little things make the space feel less like a cold corporate office and more like a home away from home.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
Why does this matter? Because a cozy, welcoming environment doesn’t just look nice; it feels nice. When employees feel comfortable and at ease in their workspace, it has a ripple effect. Their mood improves, their creativity flows more freely, and they feel a stronger sense of belonging. It’s amazing what a well-placed, comfy chair or a soft-lit corner can do to encourage collaboration and connection.
It’s about thoughtful touches that show employees you care about their comfort and well-being. And when people feel cared for, they bring their best selves to work. So, why not turn the office into a place where people genuinely want to spend their time?
5. Siesta (Spain)
In Spain, they’ve cracked the code with the age-old tradition of the siesta, a midday break to relax, recharge, and return to the day with renewed vigor. It’s a practice that might seem indulgent at first glance, but its benefits are rooted in science and practicality. It enhances energy, reduces stress, and sharpens focus.
What if we borrowed this idea for the workplace? Of course, most of us can’t shut down the office for two hours every afternoon, but we can take a page from the siesta playbook. By introducing dedicated rest pods, wellness areas like massage chairs, or green spaces in office spaces, we give employees the freedom to rest when they need it most. Just 15 to 20 minutes of rest can transform how employees approach the rest of their day.
Did you know? 💡 |
Pottery and other creative outlets done during the day were integral to Indus Valley society, and their work likely provided a meditative outlet, which has been shown in modern research to reduce stress. |
Here’s where wellbeing marketplaces come in to simplify the process. Platforms like AdvantageClub.ai offer curated wellness solutions tailored to modern workplace needs. Want to introduce short mindfulness or relaxation sessions as part of the midday break? You’ll find providers ready to help you integrate these seamlessly into your workplace.
What’s great about well-being marketplaces is their flexibility. We provide a range of options that can be adapted to your organization’s unique culture and employee needs. Whether it’s sleep workshops, wearable tech to track rest patterns, or even employee access to a digital rest library with guided relaxation exercises, a marketplace like AdvantageClub.ai makes it easy to build a comprehensive and effective rest-focused wellness initiative.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
When employees are encouraged to pause and recharge, the impact goes beyond just feeling good. Short, intentional breaks can lower cortisol levels and improve mental clarity. It’s not just about individual benefits, either. Organizations that embrace these practices see a ripple effect on team dynamics, innovation, and output. A well-rested employee isn’t just more productive, but they’re also more engaged, creative, and emotionally resilient.
6. Han (South Korea)
In South Korea, there’s a deeply meaningful concept known as Han, a term that describes a kind of unresolved emotional pain or burden, often tied to past trauma or difficult experiences. It’s not something that’s easily talked about, but it’s an emotion many people carry with them, sometimes without even realizing how heavy it becomes. In Korean culture, Han is understood as something that needs to be expressed and processed for healing to occur.
For HR leaders, the idea of Han can be incredibly enlightening. Employees often carry emotional weights, whether from personal or professional challenges and simply moving on isn’t always an effective solution. What’s needed is space to feel, express, and process those emotions in a healthy and supportive way.
This is where emotional wellness programs come in, providing employees with safe environments to express their feelings without fear of judgment. Whether through therapy, group discussions, or creative outlets, these programs can give employees the tools to navigate their emotions and prevent burnout or mental health struggles from escalating.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
Integrating emotional wellness programs, along with accessible well-being marketplaces, creates a culture where it’s okay not to be okay sometimes. It sends the message that it’s not just about physical health or productivity. It’s about being whole.
By giving employees the resources to confront and process their emotional burdens, organizations can help foster resilience, mental clarity, and overall well-being. After all, emotional health is just as important as any other form of wellness, and when employees feel heard and supported, they can thrive both in and outside of the workplace.
7. Ayurvedic care (India)
When it comes to holistic health, few traditions offer the same depth and richness as Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes balance between the body, mind, and spirit. This approach is more relevant than ever, especially for CHROs and well-being officers like you, who are seeking fresh ways to promote employee wellness.
It offers practical advice on how to balance daily routines, how to eat for your body type (known as doshas), and how to engage in stress-reducing practices that aren’t just about relaxation but about re-centering the whole self. Employees could benefit from Ayurvedic dietary recommendations that align with their unique body constitution, helping them feel more energized and focused throughout the day. Additionally, techniques such as pranayama (breathing exercises) and gentle self-massage with oils can help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote a sense of tranquility.
Now, integrating such rich and varied wellness practices might seem challenging, but that’s where well-being marketplaces like AdvantageClub.ai come in. These platforms curate a wide range of services, products, and programs, many of which include Ayurvedic wellness options like herbal teas, guided meditation, and even access to Ayurvedic consultations. Employees could access Ayurvedic tools tailored to their needs, all from one convenient platform.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
You can show a deep level of care for your employees’ individual needs, helping them achieve true balance physically, mentally, and emotionally. This can lead to improved health, reduced stress, and greater overall satisfaction in both their personal and professional lives.
8. Sound Healing (India, Nepal, and Tibet)
How would you feel getting transported to a quiet, refreshing forest in the blink of an eye? Or to the banks of a calm river? You simply sit there, soaking in the tranquil, trying to take everything you feel inside and keep it there. How about a delightful combination of all melodious, soothing sounds hitting your eyes one after another? It’s all about using sound to help you let go, relax, and find peace.
The vibrations of these sounds resonate with different parts of your body, and you may feel them gently working their magic. The sounds can quiet the constant chatter in your mind, helping you slip into a calm, meditative state without the need to concentrate or control your thoughts. The deep, resonant tones of gongs or singing bowls can create a slight vibration in your body, giving you a physical sense of calm.
Breathing slows down naturally, your muscles may relax, and you might feel lighter, almost as if you’re floating in the sounds around you.
Did you know? 💡 |
In ancient Egyptian temples’ special chambers, priests and healers chanted at particular pitches, believing sound vibrations could heal the soul and body. |
Sound healing uses specific frequencies and vibrations to promote relaxation, emotional balance, and even physical healing. Instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and tuning forks create sounds that resonate deeply with the body, calming the nervous system, helping soothe anxiety, and helping individuals reconnect with themselves in an overstimulated world.
Wellness retreats or mindfulness programs are an excellent setting to introduce sound healing, say, a group of employees gathered in a tranquil space, taking a moment to step away from their daily routines and immerse themselves in a session of sound therapy.
This is where well-being marketplaces can come into play. These platforms connect organizations with wellness practitioners and services, making it easier than ever to bring unique experiences like sound healing to your workforce to address stress-related issues your employees may face. They can help you find experienced, sound healers and curated programs that align with your company’s wellness goals.
How Does This Help Your Organization?
It’s an opportunity for employees to recharge, reconnect, and return to work with renewed focus and energy. Sound healing can have long-term benefits, including reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and greater emotional resilience.
Conclusion
Implementing these ideas, however, requires more than creativity. It requires access to the right resources, expertise, and tools to bring them to life. This is where Advantageclub.ai can be a game-changer. As a comprehensive well-being marketplace, Advantageclub.ai connects organizations with a curated network of wellness practitioners, services, and experiences designed to meet diverse employee needs.
Advantageclub.ai makes it easy to source and implement these initiatives seamlessly. With personalized offerings, scalable solutions, and a user-friendly platform, we empower CHROs and well-being officers to create programs that inspire, engage, and genuinely enhance employee wellness.
After all, when employees thrive, so does your organization. Let Advantage Club help you turn these global inspirations into actionable, impactful wellness strategies that truly make a difference.
Contact us today and one of our executives will get in touch with you to understand your pick of the well-being initiatives you want to implement and how we can ease your effort.
