7 Ways to Support Employee Well-Being During the Holidays

The holiday season can bring joy and celebration. However, for many employees, it also means more stress. Holiday schedules disrupt routines and challenge employees to maintain healthy habits. For employers, this time offers a chance to support their workers and promote a culture of health and well-being.

Focusing on employee well-being during the holidays helps companies increase engagement. It also lowers stress and supports both physical and mental health.

Here are seven ways to help employees feel good during the holidays. We also include tips and FitOn Health suggestions to make it easy.

Related: Easy Ways to Encourage Workplace Physical Activity During the Workday

1. Encourage Movement, Even in Small Doses

The holiday season can throw off employees’ regular routines, making it harder to stay active. Staying physically active helps manage stress, maintain energy, and supports overall well-being during this busy time.

How employers can help:

• Promote short, on-demand workouts: Share 10–15 minute HIIT, yoga, or stretching sessions from FitOn Health’s collection. These can easily fit into a busy day, whether employees are at home or in the office.
• Incorporate movement breaks: Encourage employees to stand, stretch, or take short walks between meetings.
• Try mini team challenges: Encourage employees to hit daily step, workout, or movement goals.

Why it matters: Even small amounts of activity boost mood, focus, and help fight holiday sedentary habits.

2. Support Mindful Eating and Nutrition

The holiday season often brings rich meals, office snacks, and travel delays. These can make it hard for employees to stick to their nutrition goals. Supporting mindful eating and nutrition is essential to maintaining energy, focus, and overall well-being.

How employers can help:

• Curated recipes and meal prep tips: Share holiday-themed, nutritious recipes via FitOn Health’s meal guides or wellness courses.
• Mindful snacking: Provide tips on portion control, balanced treats, and strategies for eating mindfully during social gatherings.
• Hydration reminders: Encourage employees to track water intake with FitOn Health’s daily check-ins.

Why it matters: Mindful eating helps employees stay energized, focused, and avoid post-holiday burnout, supporting overall productivity.

3. Prioritize Mental Health and Stress Relief

Stress levels often spike during the holiday season from increased workloads, family obligations, and disrupted routines. Corporate wellness programs that integrate mental health support can help employees manage these pressures effectively.

How employers can help:

• Guided meditations and breathing exercises: Encourage employees to use FitOn Health’s mindfulness library to decompress during the day.
• Yoga and gentle movement: Promote calming flows to help manage stress and improve overall mood.
• Daily check-ins: Encourage employees to set aside five minutes each day to check their stress and emotional well-being.

Why it matters: Supporting mental health reduces burnout, increases employee engagement, and contributes to a positive workplace culture.

Related: Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Preventing Employee Burnout

4. Make Wellness Accessible Anywhere

With flexible work schedules and remote employees, it’s essential that well-being programs are fully accessible on-demand. Supporting well-being during the holidays means providing tools employees can use anytime, anywhere.

How employers can help:

• Promote on-demand content: Remind employees they can access FitOn Health’s workouts, mindfulness sessions, and nutrition resources on any device.
• Encourage flexibility: Promote wellness as a flexible, individualized option — employees can engage when it fits their schedule.
• Small habit reinforcement: Emphasize that even brief daily sessions (5–10 minutes) contribute to overall well-being.

Why it matters: Accessibility ensures consistency and engagement, even when holiday schedules disrupt normal routines.

5. Celebrate Healthy Habits, Not Just Holidays

Recognition is a powerful motivator. During the holidays, celebrating employees’ wellness achievements can reinforce healthy habits and strengthen workplace culture.

How employers can help:

• Track participation: Encourage employees to log workouts, meditation streaks, or nutrition goals using FitOn Health.
• Recognize milestones: Celebrate individual and team achievements in weekly newsletters or internal communications.
• Host fun holiday challenges: Create end-of-year FitOn Health challenges around activity minutes, steps, or mindfulness streaks.

Why it matters: Recognition motivates employees to maintain healthy habits and fosters a culture of well-being that lasts beyond the holiday season.

6. Promote Inclusive and Personalized Wellness

Employees celebrate different holidays and observe varied traditions. Inclusive, personalized wellness options ensure that everyone can participate in a way that feels meaningful and accessible.

How employers can help:

• Offer diverse activity options: Provide choices such as yoga, HIIT, meditation, stretching, and pilates.
• Respect personal preferences: Highlight activities employees can do alone, with family, or in small groups.
• Personalized recommendations: Use FitOn Health to create programs that fit each employee’s fitness level, interests, and wellness goals.

Why it matters: Inclusive and personalized wellness increases participation, engagement, and ensures that every employee feels supported.

Related: Free Download: The Guide to Personalized Wellness Programs

7. Offer Resources for Holistic Well-Being

Holistic well-being extends beyond fitness to include mental, emotional, and social well-being. During the holiday season, supporting employees in all areas of health reinforces engagement and long-term satisfaction.

How employers can help:

• Stress management tools: Provide breathing exercises, meditation guides, or yoga flows.
• Sleep and energy resources: Offer FitOn Health’s sleep and relaxation sessions to help employees recharge.
• Community engagement: Encourage participation in group challenges, virtual classes, or team wellness events to foster connection.

Why it matters: Holistic wellness support empowers employees to navigate the holiday season successfully while maintaining healthy routines and managing stress.

Related: 6 Tips to Prevent Employee Stress at Work

Help Employees Thrive Beyond The Holidays

The holidays are the perfect time to showcase your culture and show employees you truly value their well-being. By offering quick workouts, mindful nutrition guidance, stress-relief tools, and personalized well-being options, you can help your team stay healthy, focused, and engaged during this busy season.

Investing in employee well-being during the holidays is not just a seasonal perk. It leads to better engagement, productivity, and workplace culture.

See how FitOn Health makes it easy to deliver preventive care and well-being support that keeps employees thriving all year long. Request a demo today.