James MeinckeFor many sales professionals, the anxiety about closing deals and meeting quota is constant. Sales is a stressful profession, but managers can take action to reduce stress by having a relaxation day at work every once in a while. Your team will reap the benefits in terms of business as well as in personal wellness: Employee happiness can increase sales by 37%.
Finding an opportunity for your team to do a relaxing activity weekly or at least every other week can bring a lighter vibe to the workplace and boost your team’s morale. Here are nine ideas to try:
1. Bring pets into the office.
Petting a dog for fifteen minutes can reduce blood pressure by 10%. (Yes, really!) Inviting pets in the office for a day will create a special experience for employees while also reducing their stress.
Many of your employees may want to bring their own darlings into the office. You can also ask a local animal shelter if they can come over with some dogs for a few hours. This is great for the dogs because it gives them a chance to socialize with new people.
Pet days can be casual, or you may choose to do something more elaborate. Throw a party with treats for both canines and humans!
2. Participate in a volunteer day.
Helping others doesn’t just help the beneficiaries of volunteer work. It also offers many benefits for mental and physical health. Taking a day to volunteer as a team can reduce stress and offer a chance for team members to bond by working together on an emotionally meaningful project.
There are many volunteer opportunities for professional groups. Habitat for Humanity is a rewarding experience for volunteers. Try contacting a local food bank or homeless shelter to ask if they need any help. If you’re close to a national or state park, they might need people to assist with cleanup. Visiting retirement homes is another volunteer opportunity that your employees may enjoy.
To increase employee engagement in the event, ask your team for their ideas about volunteer opportunities.
3. Have themed days that allow employees to dress up.
Casual Fridays are fun, but there are other options for themed days. Some other possibilities include:
- Sports Day
- Alma Mater Day
- Hawaiian Shirt Day (can include a contest for the most outlandish shirt!)
- Crazy Socks Day
- Pajama Day
- Decades days (i.e. 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s-themed attire)
- Band T-shirt day
- Famous Person Dress-up Day
Theme days are fun because they break up the routine and allow employees to learn new things about each other.
4. Hold a sales game.
When done well, gamification can really improve productivity. Games can also make work feel less like work.
Although games lose their effectiveness if they happen too frequently, an occasional game that lasts for a day (or even just a few hours) can really motivate employees and help them reconnect with the fun parts of sales.
The game doesn’t have to be elaborate. You might, for example, decide to hold a prospecting game. All sales reps would keep track of how many prospects they called (or appointments set). The winner receives a small prize.
5. Do wellness activities like yoga and massage.
Many sales professionals let wellness slide amidst the stress of the workweek. You can help them out by bringing wellness and relaxation opportunities to them. Many yoga studios and massage therapists offer in-office sessions for corporate groups. Even if you can’t afford this on a regular basis, even doing it once can make a difference for your employees and encourage them to engage in wellness activities on their own time.
Other possibilities include meditation sessions, sampling essential oils, and forest bathing. (Forest bathing doesn’t require an actual forest. You just need to find an outdoor space and give your employees a few hours to relax in nature.)
6. Go to a play or musical as part of a group outing.
Attending a professional production is a special treat that your employees will treasure. Offering this activity in the middle of the workday can be particularly relaxing. (You might also be able to get a better deal on a matinee showing.)
For a lower-budget alternative, seeing a movie at a nice theater can be a great experience as well. Try asking your employees what productions they’re most interested in seeing instead of picking the show for them.
7. Surprise your employees with gifts.
There are few things more delightful than arriving at work only to find a surprise gift on your desk. Even a small gift can put a smile on your employees’ faces for the rest of the day. To maximize the benefits, select gifts that promote relaxation.
Some suggestions for gifts that promote calm and wellness:
- Bath bombs
- Gourmet healthy snacks
- Office fidget toys (i.e. a stress ball)
- Weighted blanket
- Comfy slippers
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Adult coloring books.
- Groupon gift certificate for an activity of the employee’s choice
- Yoga mat and other tools
- Personal journal
8. Hold a karaoke event.
It might be cheesy, but there’s nothing quite like karaoke to help people kick back and gain perspective on the fun parts of life.
You can go to a local karaoke event as a team, or bring the karaoke into the office. Try beginning and ending with a group song to encourage everyone to relax. Providing light drinks will also help your team to get into the mood for karaoke. Some people may be reluctant to participate at first, so be sensitive to their needs. Encourage everyone to sing along so that performers don’t feel too much pressure.
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