Your Guide to Creating an Incredible Wellness Retreat
Your Guide to Creating an Incredible Wellness Retreat
BoomPop Team · 12/18/2024
In today's fast-paced, digital-first landscape, employee well-being has become a top priority for businesses. Companies are looking at meaningful ways beyond onsite amenities to make employees feel healthy, happy, and valued in the workplace. Enter the concept of wellness retreats!
Gathering inspiration from the world of wellness, many companies have discovered that events focused on well-being rather than on business-as-usual make a huge, positive impact on their teams. These immersive experiences offer a unique opportunity for team members to rejuvenate, recharge, and foster stronger team bonds.
One of BoomPop’s seasoned events experts, Heidi Precob, shared why so many clients are turning to wellness retreats for their teams: “It has become increasingly clear that unplugging across multiple days and getting back into our bodies with physical activity, nutritious food, and nurturing activities is not simply a perk, but a necessity, to maintain the vitality of our minds, bodies, and spirits. It’s obvious to most, but hard to put into practice.” And that’s why so many are turning to wellness retreats for their teams.
Let’s explore how to plan a wellness retreat that truly reinvigorates your team.
What is a Wellness Retreat?
A wellness retreat is a carefully curated offsite event designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Unlike traditional corporate retreats, wellness retreats prioritize health and offer a different approach to programming than a business-oriented offsite, offering a good mix of wellness oriented activities, team building experiences, and unstructured time for deep work and thoughtful reflection. Company wellness retreats can feature a range of activities, from hiking to cooking classes to sound baths, all aimed at helping your team recenter themselves.
Why Invest in a Wellness Retreat?
By combining structured activities with downtime, wellness retreats provide team members a much-needed break from the daily grind, which in turn can help teams combat the growing problem of burnout and disengagement.
Hosting a wellness retreat can also be a powerful opportunity as an organization to recommit to your company values — wellness isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a cultural commitment. Businesses investing in wellness retreats are making a tangible commitment to employee well-being by putting time for rest and relaxation on the agenda - literally. This sends a powerful and empowering message to every team member and helps otherwise busy professionals actually set aside time that can be difficult to claim in the hustle and bustle of the typical schedule.
A thoughtfully planned wellness retreat can help:
Boost employee morale and engagement: A well-planned wellness retreat can significantly improve employee satisfaction and motivation.
Enhance team collaboration: Shared experiences and team-building activities outside the typical work environment can strengthen relationships and foster a sense of camaraderie.
Increase productivity and creativity: A refreshed and rejuvenated team is more likely to perform at their best.
Encourage prioritizing wellness: Team members are more likely to feel empowered to create habits that help them prioritize their wellness when their company supports and invests in employee wellness, too.
Improve employee retention: Investing in employee well-being can help you attract and retain top talent.
Strengthen company culture: A wellness retreat can help reinforce your company’s commitment to its team and positively impact company culture
When is the Best time for a Wellness Retreat?
According to BoomPop’s events expert Heidi Precob, “January and February remain popular months for wellness retreats, as companies and individuals re-evaluate their priorities, goals, and aspirations for the new year.” But the truth is, any time is a good time to invest in the health and well-being of your team!
Finding the right timeline for your company wellness retreat often comes down to a mix of prioritization and opportunity, because more popular wellness retreat locations could be booked up in the earlier months of the year due to high demand. Talk with an event planning expert for advice on timing a wellness retreat for your team.
And if you want to host one early in the year, Heidi advises to start planning before the end of the year! “Waiting until mid-January to begin the planning process will set you behind in securing venue availability and affordable rates.”
How to Plan a Wellness Retreat
1. Choose a Location that Sets the Scene
Location is a critical component of planning a truly relaxing wellness retreat. Choose a serene location that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. Explore different nature settings that provide a break from the norm. When selecting a wellness retreat location, consider things like accessibility, amenities, and the overall ambiance to make sure your team will be comfortable.
2. Craft a Memorable Itinerary
“One of the biggest mistakes I see companies make is trying to pack ‘everything’ into a tight itinerary, leaving little down time for rest, spontaneity, and individual exploration,” Heidi said. “It’s better to plan one daily group activity with intentionality and increase your spend for impact, versus cramming as much as possible into a program and spreading your budget thin. Give attendees activity options to suit their personal preferences, allow for opting out, and provide recommendations outside of structured time. The introverts in the group will thank you, and everyone will come prepared to engage in the activities that you put your time and energy into planning.”
Consider the following when it comes to your wellness retreat itinerary:
Balance Structure & Freedom
Schedule a mix of group activities and free time.
Create time for team members to digitally detox by keeping laptops and mobile device use at a minimum if and when possible.
Plan Meaningful Activities
Consider incorporating mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, or sound baths.
Curate experiences like team-building exercises, outdoor adventures, or creative workshops.
Personalized Experiences
Offer a variety of activities to cater to different interests.
Gather team input prior to your wellness retreat with a guest survey so you can curate the most meaningful array of experiences for your group.
Consider different tracks of programming or activities for different interest groups.
Nourish the Body and Mind
Provide healthy and delicious meals, snacks, and welcome gifts.
Offer opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation, such as spa treatments or quiet time.
4. Remove the Stress of Event Planning from Your Team
Consider partnering with an event planning team to execute your wellness retreat so that everyone on your team - including those who normally plan or facilicate your events! - can fully participate in your wellness retreat and receive the same rejuvenating benefits as the rest of your team. From venue selection and negotiation to planning activities and facilitating onsite, a team like BoomPop can take the stress out of the planning process so your entire team comes back refreshed and recharged.
5. Incorporate Wellness Elements into Every Retreat or Offsite
A retreat dedicated to wellness is a great idea for every team, and frankly, we’d recommend having them on a regular basis! But keep in mind that you can also incorporate wellness experiences, activities, and themes into any retreat or offsite. Every offsite, event, or retreat can incorporate some of these tips into the planning process, from location to activities to an approach to programming.
Looking for Wellness Retreat Inspiration?
The BoomPop Team visited CIVANA, in Carefree AZ for a restorative wellness retreat in 2023. Our team enjoyed selecting from activities like yoga, hiking, and sound healing, along with a numerology workshop, sunset horseback riding activity, healthy meals, line dancing, and team bonding around the fire.
Get Started with a Wellness Retreat for Your Team
Ready to elevate your team's well-being? Let BoomPop help you plan an immersive wellness retreat. Contact us today for a free consultation.
