It goes without saying that “wellness” goes beyond the basic idea of eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity that contributes to cardiovascular health. There’s no shortage of viral videos and social media clickbait encouraging viewers to try the latest powder, pill, detox, or routine. People are inherently interested and invested in keeping fit and avoiding injury. In recent years, the world of wellness has expanded beyond the realm of crunchy, kale-eating health nuts to connect with a substantial portion of the general population — including, of course, the association community, and the meetings and events space as a whole.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to reflect on the ways in which we take care of ourselves, take stock of how we’re feeling, and think about how we plan to fine-tune — or completely overhaul — our wellness routines as we enter the spring season. In a world where uncertainty reigns and the lines between work and home life can sometimes feel all but invisible, mental wellness, work-life balance, and taking a proactive role in improving our collective mental health is more important than ever.
Wellness in the workplace starts with feeling connected. The pandemic showed us that when workers feel lonely, not only does productivity suffer, but mental health also takes a dive. Feeling disengaged isn’t just about working remotely versus working in the office, though. It’s about feeling connected to a workplace culture that encourages socialisation and creativity as part of its DNA. That’s where meetings and events come in. They can provide the opportunities for shared connections and relationships that keep organisations strong by building up their workforce.
The Importance of Incorporating Wellness into Events
IMEX’s recent “Power of Experiences Report” emphasizes the importance of experiences — including well-designed business meetings and events — to contribute to positive gains in mental wellness. Delegates who are well-fed, well-rested, relaxed, and engaged are not only more likely to learn more from an event’s educational programme, they’re also more likely to rate the event highly — and to return the following year. Building relationships not only with delegates, but also with association members and employees, is all about trust: providing people with space to be heard and facilitating opportunities for connection and growth not only produces repeat event attendees and the kind of loyalty any business wants to enjoy — it creates the kind of workplace atmosphere where people feel seen, heard, and respected.
Associations, recognising the value of a workforce that benefits from workplace respect and enjoys better work-life balance, are therefore increasingly integrating wellness into their meetings and events not only to enhance member experience, but to improve engagement and promote overall well-being. Adding elements like mindfulness and meditation sessions, a diverse array of food options, a welcoming atmosphere that accommodates the needs of all delegates goes a long way toward creating a space where attendees are calm, relaxed, and ready to participate in the programmes and sessions.
Other ways to boost positive reactions from delegates and keep them engaged include designated breakout spaces for recharging and reducing sensory overload, including discussions about work-life balance and stress management into the programme, and encouraging participants to interact with each other via planned activities and games.
Boosting Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Meetings and events play a vital role in every region, every sector, and every industry. They are the glue that bonds people together. In a recent survey of ICCA LinkedIn followers, we asked: “How important is it for you to see more mental wellness activities and programmes at meetings and events?” 54% answered that this was “very important —it’s crucial.”
By creating a common experience that takes us out of our everyday workplace routine — whether that’s in-office or WFH — meetings and events professionals are facilitating the kind of interpersonal relationships that not only help employees feel connected to their coworkers and colleagues, but encourages them to expand their social and professional circles to include folks from all corners of their industry. These are the bonds that boost creativity, inspire ambition, and propel us forward — both as individuals and as members of a larger business community.
Mental wellness isn’t just about employee satisfaction, though. It’s also about the bottom line. According to the United States’ National Institutes of Health, lost productivity due to depression and anxiety is estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion annually — an eye-opening figure that should cause CEOs and other stakeholders to take notice. How much more productivity — and how much of a shared benefit could be available to all — could organisations see if they invested in the mental wellbeing of their workforce?
Mental wellness at work isn’t just about allowing employees the occasional flex day. It’s about empowering everyone to feel their best, do their best work, and find innovative new ways to go further than work-life balance to create a synergy among connection, creativity, and productivity. Meetings and events professionals have an imperative — and an opportunity — to lead the way when it comes to mental wellness in the workplace and beyond. It’s crucial that the industry make investments in mental health initiatives in order to continue to grow and succeed.