Picture this: Employees start the week with zeal and enthusiasm but end up utterly stressed and exhausted by the time the weekend rolls around, thanks to the pile of work they need to get done.
As a business leader or HR personnel, what do you do if your employees constantly feel overworked and overwhelmed? The answer is giving their bodies and minds the time to relax. Sure, the weekends are designated days for rest and play, but leaders can champion relaxation initiatives during the week as well.Ā
Thankfully, thatās where National Relaxation Day comes in. This day urges every individual to slow down and take a break. However, it's also a great opportunity for employers and HR personnel to encourage employees to value self-care and relaxation.
Read on for some practical ideas on how to celebrate this special day with your team.
ā
What is National Relaxation Day? š
National Relaxation Day (not to be confused with Britain's National Slacker Day) is celebrated every August 15th in the United States. The idea is for individuals to take a momentary break from the daily grind to unwind. This means pursuing relaxing activities, such as:
- Reading favorite books
- Listening to soothing music
- Watching new flicks
- Window shopping
- Taking a spa day
- Traveling to new placesĀ
Employers and HR personnel should take the initiative to celebrate this day. It's a great way to show your employees how much your organization values the importance of relaxation while promoting a culture of work-life balance by encouraging every employee to truly relax.
As everyone knows, the workplace can become highly stressful due to demanding jobs and workloads. That can have detrimental effects on employees' health and overall well-being. Allowing them to rest their minds and bodies can make a difference in their work and the overall quality of their lives.
ā
Why does it matter in the workplace? š¤
National Relaxation Day matters because it reminds various organizations and employees about the significance of resting and relaxing. Not only does it tell workers to unwind, but it also creates positive ripple effects in the workplace.Ā
However, there are more to these advantages than meets the eye. The benefits of the relaxation day are aplenty:
- Reduce stress brought by work: About 83% of American workers are suffering from work-related stress. Taking a relaxation day can help lower employees' stress levels.
- Address employee burnout: The World Health Organization (WHO) considers burnout an occupational phenomenon "resulting from chronic workplace stress that employees have not successfully managed." Having a relaxation day can help employees rise above the feeling of burnout!
- Foster workplace productivity: Relaxation days can go as far as making employees more productive. They need to rest so they can get back to work wholly renewed and produce more output.Ā
- Build solid work relationships: Celebrating National Relaxation Day doesn't only let your team enjoy and have fun. It also helps them establish deeper connections with each other. Lastly, it allows employees to put their trust and confidence in your company as an organization that oversees their welfare.
- Establish a work-life balance: Striking a balance between professional and personal lives can be one of employees' in-office and remote work challenges. However, having relaxation days can foster the work-life balance they deserve!Ā Ā
- Promote overall health and well-being: There's a difference between taking a single rest day and integrating employee wellness into your culture and everyday initiatives. The latter can have long-lasting benefits for your employeesā physical and mental health. National Relaxation Day seeks to foster this initiative in the workplace.
Get some practical ideas for celebrating National Relaxation Day in the next section.
ā
How to celebrate Relaxation Day with your team:Ā
Earlier, you've learned what a relaxation day is and why it matters. Now, it's time to find ways and means to celebrate National Relaxation Day. Remember, you've got to take the initiative and be deliberate by seeing what employees enjoy doing and what works for them.
1. Plan a team building activity for your colleagues
Working colleagues, whether in-office or remotely, have always dealt with workload and stress. To get rid of these, why not hold an affordable team building activity for your team? Trust us; they'll enjoy doing things together outside the four walls of their physical or virtual office.Ā
- Unravel the mystery in an escape room: Escape rooms have been all the rage these days. With these, your team gets locked in a room and needs to solve a series of puzzles to escape. This team building activity can be fun and exciting, perfect for employee engagement!
- Hold a corporate event for entertainment: If you are the company's HR or event coordinator, give your employees organized time off for fun and excitement. Not the usual corporate party, this engagement event can be an exclusive concert or happy hour just for your employees!
ā
2. Have culinary treats with your team
There's nothing like sharing a good meal with colleagues. With savory dishes and refreshing drinks, here are some practical ideas for sharing a meal with your distributed team:
- Enjoy gastronomic delights: Treating your colleagues to good meals during this relaxation day is a good idea. Send them a gift card so that they can treat themselves to a lunch from a local restaurant. But take note: WHO always suggests a healthy diet for proper nutrition and good health.
- Unleash the MasterChef in you: Looking to take your cooking prowess to the next level? You can cook for your colleagues with a good old staple or serve them with your newest specialty. You can encourage a new skill and invite them to a virtual cooking class during your relaxation day.Ā
ā
3. Get physical with your team
Exercise has always been the panacea for work troubles. Various research studies show that it can relieve stress, lower depression, and enhance cognitive function. So, working out during National Relaxation Day is best for promoting physical fitness:
- Take a class together: In-office teams could partner with a local fitness center to offer employees some discounts as part of their wellness programs. For hybrid and remote teams, book a virtual fitness class that your remote employees can enjoy from home! Trying a class together is a great way to get out of the box and experience a new workout style!Ā
- Hold a sports event: Playing sports has always been a viable means of engaging employees, promoting camaraderie, and having fun together. Think of the classic office Olympics and team building tournaments. For remote teams, enjoy the nostalgia of a virtual field day full of games and trivia with a competitive spirit!
ā
4. Let employees pursue their interests
Nothing can be more fun, relaxing, and fulfilling than pursuing your hobbies and interests. As such, National Relaxation Day should be filled with things employees love doing or are passionate about. But of course, these hobbies and interests vary from one person to another. Here are a few suggestions:
- Have time for arts and crafts: Since almost everyone has a knack for the arts, why not hold an arts and crafts event? Let your employees sign up for their preferred activities, whether itās painting, drawing, knitting, or handcrafting. Then, gather them all together during National Relaxation Day!Ā
- Tick some plans off the list: Most employees might have a professional list of skills they wish to accomplish for the year. Gather all these details and hold related activities during National Relaxation Day. Let them learn how to start a self-help book, launch an e-commerce startup, develop an SEO skill, learn a Latin language, or create a TikTok channel!
ā
5. Pamper your team
National Relaxation Day doesnāt have to be filled with productive activities. Your employees just need to rest during this day, as the name would suggest. They donāt have to do anything but practice self-care. So, hand over some gift cards and let them have some pampering.
- Have a sleep retreat: Did we say that employees can sleep all day during relaxation day? If not, let them harness the benefits of napping for better health! Consider working with a sleep retreat center and have employees join during National Relaxation Day. That can be such a unique yet relaxing experience for them!
- Pamper your team: Instead of doing the work, let others do the job for these employees by treating them like kings and queens during National Relaxation Day. Hand them gift cards that give them access to spas and clinics. That way, they can get their hair or nails done, have a relaxing massage, or savor facial care.
ā
Make the most of National Relaxation Day š
Thereās no denying the tasks and stress that come with work. Thatās why every employee is entitled to take their rest days. But as an employer or HR personnel, encourage them to value the importance of having relaxation and practicing self-care.
That said, start planning annual events for National Relaxation Day on August 15th. More importantly, consider these five practical ideas to celebrate this momentous event, from planning a team building activity to having a pampering day with your team.
Make the most of the National Relaxation Day, and employees will return to work feeling utterly renewed and rejuvenated! If you're feeling stressed about planning an event, take a deep breath and let Confetti do the work for you. Contact [email protected] to get started.
ā
National Relaxation Day FAQs ā
Who celebrates National Relaxation Day?
National Relaxation Day is a holiday observed in the United States annually on August 15th. Many countries have also created similar holidays, such as National Slacker Day which was created in Britain as an homage to the American holiday.
How can you incorporate relaxation techniques into the workday?
There are many ways you can practice relaxation at work even when it's not National Relaxation Day. Some ways to combat stress and be more relaxed during the 9-5 include meditation, stretching and taking breaks, walking away from your desk at lunchtime, listening to soothing music, taking deep breaths, and more.
What is the relaxation response?
The relaxation response is the body's physical state of deep relaxation. In this state, your body releases chemicals that work to slow down your breathing and heart rate which helps circulate healthy blood back to your vital organs, especially the brain.
ā
