5 Community Building Activities for a Hybrid Workplace

Hybrid work is here to stay—and with it, new challenges for building meaningful connections between employees. The physical office may be optional, but a sense of belonging is not.

According to our LinkedIn Survey, 82% of employees believe that it's important to participate in community-building activities. But many struggle to find ways to connect in a hybrid workplace.

When team members feel disconnected, collaboration suffers, productivity dips, and burnout risks increase. But there’s good news: you don’t need everyone in the same room to build a thriving, connected culture. Virtual team building activities—when done right—can unify teams across time zones and job functions.

Here’s how leading organizations are using wellness and intentional connection strategies to keep their teams engaged, energized, and emotionally connected.

Why Team Connection Matters More Than Ever

According to Gallup, only 23% of employees worldwide feel strongly connected to their organization’s culture. And that number drops in remote environments if action isn’t taken.

A lack of connection leads to:

Higher turnover and disengagement
Poor collaboration across departments
Increased loneliness and mental health challenges

That’s why team connection is no longer just HR’s job—it’s a core leadership priority.

1. Virtual Wellness Challenges

Build health, camaraderie, and a little friendly competition.

Wellness challenges are a low-lift, high-impact way to unite teams. Whether it's a 10-day step challenge, a hydration tracker, or a mindfulness streak, these initiatives build connection while supporting employee well-being.

Pro Tip: Use an app like FitOn Health to create structured challenges employees can complete from anywhere—solo or as a team.

2. Remote-Friendly Buddy Systems

Create accountability and support with peer connections.

Match employees across departments or locations for casual “coffee chats” or wellness check-ins. These relationships foster cross-functional collaboration and give employees a go-to person for connection—especially important for new hires or solo remote workers.

Try This: Launch a “Wellness Buddy Program” where employees commit to weekly 15-minute check-ins, either in person or online.

3. Team Stretch & Breathe Sessions

Combat screen fatigue with short, scheduled movement breaks.

Regular movement boosts focus and mood, especially during long meetings or after hours of screen time. Schedule 5-minute stretch or guided breaks during team meetings—and rotate who leads to keep it engaging.

Bonus: Encouraging movement throughout the workday can lead to increased energy levels and stronger team collaboration.

4. Wellness-Focused Channels

Create community through everyday wellness moments.

Digital watercoolers are powerful. Create a #wellness-at-work or #mindful-monday channel where employees can share healthy recipes, mood-boosting music, or celebrate personal wins.

This promotes a sense of belonging while encouraging peer-to-peer support and participation.

5. Virtual Team Experiences with Purpose

Go beyond icebreakers—host wellness-based group events.

From a live meditation session to a team cooking class or chair yoga flow, experiential wellness activities are a great way to bring teams together. These events not only reduce stress—they give teams a shared experience, which strengthens trust and connection.

Pro Tip: Partner with a wellness platform that offers wellness events for employees across locations.

Don’t Let Distance Define Your Culture

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or distributed across the globe, connection is still the heart of culture. And wellness programs—especially ones that include virtual team building activities—are the bridge between isolated work and thriving collaboration.

Want to bring connection, energy, and engagement to your hybrid team? Explore how FitOn Health helps remote and hybrid teams thrive.

Never miss a beat