Virtual Wellness: Activities to Boost Team Wellbeing

The Vital Role of Wellbeing in Remote Work

Looking for effective wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings? Here are 10 quick options you can implement immediately:

1. Virtual Mindfulness Minute: Begin meetings with 60 seconds of guided breathing
2. Wellness Check-Ins: Ask team members to share their energy level (1-10)
3. Quick Stretching: Lead a 3-minute desk stretch routine
4. Gratitude Circle: Each person shares one thing they're thankful for
5. Virtual Background Showcase: Theme-based backgrounds that spark conversation
6. Two Truths and a Lie: A quick game that builds connection
7. Emoji Mood Check: Have everyone share their current mood with an emoji
8. Power Poses: Stand in confidence-boosting poses for 2 minutes
9. Virtual Coffee Break: First 5 minutes dedicated to casual conversation
10. Quick Appreciation: Recognize someone's recent contribution

In today's remote work landscape, wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings have become essential rather than optional. With 41% of workers reporting difficulty connecting to company culture when working remotely (according to Owl Labs), intentional wellbeing moments during virtual gatherings can bridge the gap between physical separation and emotional connection.

The shift to remote and hybrid work has transformed how teams interact, collaborate, and support each other. While technology enables productivity from anywhere, it doesn't automatically foster the human connections that drive engagement, creativity, and overall wellbeing.

Research from Adobe's Future of Time Report reveals that 78% of people are actively seeking more supportive work cultures. This statistic highlights the growing need for structured wellbeing activities that can be seamlessly integrated into the workday—particularly during team meetings where everyone is already gathered.

When implemented thoughtfully, these activities do more than just break up the monotony of virtual meetings. They create meaningful moments of connection, reduce stress, improve focus, and boost overall team morale. Even dedicating just 5 minutes to wellbeing can transform a standard meeting into an opportunity for team members to feel seen, valued, and energized.

I'm Meghan Calhoun, and through my experience implementing wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings across diverse organizations, I've witnessed how these small but intentional practices transform workplace culture from merely productive to genuinely fulfilling.

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The Benefits of Incorporating Wellbeing Activities into Virtual Meetings

The lines between work and personal life have blurred considerably in the remote work era. What was once a clear separation has become a delicate balancing act that many teams struggle to maintain. This is precisely why wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings have evolved from a nice-to-have perk to an essential component of effective remote leadership.

Boosting Morale and Team Cohesion

Remote work, for all its benefits, can leave team members feeling disconnected from their colleagues. The casual hallway conversations and impromptu coffee breaks that naturally build relationships in office settings don't happen organically in virtual environments.

"When team members feel connected, they're more likely to collaborate effectively and support each other through challenges," explains a senior People Scientist whose research we've studied extensively. These brief moments of human connection during virtual meetings help recreate that sense of belonging that's so crucial for team cohesion.

I love the story one of our clients shared: "To celebrate the successful completion of a challenging team project, I booked a virtual Airbnb experience and had a magician join us one evening after work. It turned out to be even better than anyone expected." These shared positive experiences create lasting memories that strengthen team bonds in ways that purely task-focused meetings simply cannot.

Reducing Stress and Preventing Burnout

Let's face it – "Zoom fatigue" is real. The mental load of being "on camera" for hours at a time takes a toll that many of us didn't anticipate when remote work became widespread. Incorporating brief wellness moments provides necessary mental breaks that help team members reset and refocus.

Even a 3-minute guided breathing exercise can significantly reduce stress levels. When teams collectively take a moment to stretch or practice mindfulness, it normalizes the importance of mental health. This creates a psychologically safer environment where team members feel comfortable acknowledging when they're feeling overwhelmed – before burnout sets in.

Improving Communication and Collaboration

There's something about shared experiences outside the usual work context that breaks down barriers between team members. Wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings create spaces where authentic connections can form, regardless of hierarchy or role.

Another team leader shared this success story: "Our team organized a virtual cooking class to celebrate exceeding our goals for Q3. It was a great chance for us to take a step back from work and focus solely on team bonding. The conversations that happened naturally during the activity carried over into our work, making collaboration smoother and more effective."

These activities create a foundation of trust that makes difficult conversations easier and creative collaboration more natural. When people feel comfortable with each other as humans first, professional relationships flourish.

Increasing Productivity and Focus

It might seem counterintuitive at first – how could taking time away from "actual work" for wellbeing activities possibly increase productivity? Yet research consistently confirms this paradox. According to one university study, happiness makes people 12% more productive.

Brief wellbeing activities serve as pattern interrupts that help team members maintain focus during longer meetings. That quick stretching session or mindfulness exercise re-energizes the brain and prevents the mental fatigue that leads to decreased productivity. It's similar to how taking short breaks during intense study sessions actually improves retention – our brains need these moments to process and reset.

Creating a Culture of Support and Appreciation

When leaders prioritize wellbeing activities, they send a powerful message that resonates throughout the organization: "We value you as a whole person, not just for your professional output." This seemingly simple statement creates ripple effects that transform workplace culture.

At Give River, we've observed that teams who regularly incorporate wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings report higher levels of psychological safety. These teams are more likely to engage in innovative thinking, take appropriate risks, and support each other through challenges – all crucial elements for organizational success in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

With 78% of people actively seeking more supportive work cultures (according to Adobe's Future of Time Report), integrating these wellbeing moments isn't just good for your team – it's becoming a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent. The organizations that recognize this shift and respond with intentional wellbeing practices are positioning themselves as employers of choice in an increasingly employee-driven market.

Wellbeing Activities for Virtual Team Meetings: Quick and Effective Ideas

The best wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings are quick, accessible, and meaningful. If you're like most team leads these days, you probably have more meetings on your calendar than you know what to do with. Thankfully, it only takes a few minutes to integrate wellbeing moments that boost team connection, ease stress, and help everyone refocus.

Let's explore some fun, easy-to-implement ideas that fit neatly into your existing schedule without disrupting workflow.

5-Minute Wellbeing Activities

Sometimes, just a few minutes are all you really need to shift your team's energy, spark conversation, or bring smiles to everyone's face.

One favorite is the Crowd-Sourced Icebreaker. Before your meeting, ask team members to anonymously submit fun questions they'd like to discuss. At the start of the call, pick one randomly to chat about. It's quick, simple, and generates instant engagement.

Another quick boost is Spreading Some Gratitude. Spend a minute or two at the beginning of meetings letting team members express appreciation for something a colleague recently did. As one team leader shared, "Starting meetings with gratitude completely transforms the energy of our calls." It makes everyone feel valued and sets a positive tone.

Looking for laughs? Try the Instant Meme activity. Share a work-appropriate meme template and give your team 60 seconds to create a funny meme about your project or office life. It's amazing how humor can relieve tension and build camaraderie.

Or get everyone moving with a quick Scavenger Hunt. Tell your team they have 60 seconds to find something nearby that represents their mood or brings them joy. You'll be surprised how creative people get! A tech leader recently said, "This 60-second scavenger hunt brings amazing energy to our Monday meetings. People return smiling and ready to engage."

If you're short on time but want something engaging, try Word Association. Start with a word related to your current project and quickly have each person shout out an associated word. It's a simple brain teaser and often sparks new ideas.

Icebreakers That Foster Wellbeing

Not all icebreakers are created equal. The best ones help your team genuinely connect, laugh, and share meaningful details easily.

For example, Two Truths and a Lie is perfect for this. Each person shares two things about themselves that are true and one that's made up, and everyone else guesses the fib. It's simple yet reveals delightful surprises about your colleagues.

Another great option is the Rose, Thorn, Bud check-in. Team members quickly share a highlight ("rose"), something challenging ("thorn"), and something they're looking forward to ("bud"). It provides structure while giving people permission to be honest about how they’re feeling.

Want to make things visual? The Virtual Background Challenge is always fun. Ask everyone to choose a background image based on a theme like "your ideal vacation spot" or "your happy place." It naturally sparks conversation and helps team members find common interests.

For a more creative approach, consider a Mood Weather Report. Each person describes their mood as if it were weather—like, "Today I'm partly cloudy with a chance of brainstorms." It's humorous, quick, and often helps people express complex emotions in a fun way.

Our personal favorite at Give River is the simple yet effective Emoji Check-In. Everyone drops an emoji in the chat that represents their current mood or energy level. As one manager noted, "It's the fastest way to gauge how the team is doing and see who might need extra support."

Mindfulness and Meditation Wellbeing Activities for Virtual Team Meetings

Bringing mindfulness into meetings doesn't need to be complicated or lengthy. Even short mindful practices help your team reset and improve their focus. To learn more about mindfulness, check out Mindfulness on Wikipedia.

You could start with a simple One-Minute Breathing Exercise, guiding your team to close their eyes (if comfortable) and take five slow, deep breaths together. This tiny pause has a remarkable effect on everyone's clarity and presence.

If you'd like to take it just a little further, try adding a brief Guided Mini-Meditation. You can use apps like Calm or Headspace for short 2-3 minute guided meditations perfect for workplace settings. Or invite a willing team member to guide this mini-meditation moment.

Another favorite is the Mindful Listening Exercise. Pair your team members up for one minute each to speak uninterrupted about a topic like, "What's inspired you lately?" The listener practices genuinely listening without planning their response—great practice for communication skills!

A quick Sensory Awareness Break also works wonders. Invite your team to notice three things they see, two things they hear, and one thing they physically feel. It only takes moments but grounds everyone quickly into the present.

Or encourage everyone to set a quiet Intention for the Meeting. Thirty seconds spent silently thinking about what they'd like from the gathering can dramatically shift the meeting's outcomes. One marketing leader shared that since introducing the breathing exercise, their team meetings are noticeably more focused, creative, and productive.

Physical Wellbeing Activities for Virtual Team Meetings

Physical movement is often neglected in remote work, but even just a minute or two of activity can refresh your team, boost energy, and reduce tension.

Consider starting with quick Desk Stretches, focusing on tension-filled areas like your neck, shoulders, wrists, and back. These simple seated stretches ease stiffness and improve posture instantly.

If you prefer a bit more energy, lead a quick Stand and Shake activity. Everyone stands, shakes out their arms and legs for about 30 seconds, and enjoys the immediate circulation and mood boost.

For teams comfortable moving a bit more, a few minutes of Chair Yoga can do wonders. Simple poses like seated twists or modified sun salutations help everyone feel physically refreshed without leaving their workspace.

A speedy but impactful activity is the Posture Reset, guiding team members to realign their posture consciously—feet flat, spine tall, shoulders relaxed, and neck aligned. It's instantly grounding and reduces discomfort from prolonged sitting.

Finally, make use of Power Poses inspired by Amy Cuddy's confidence research. Before diving into important discussions, invite everyone to stand or sit in a confident open posture for two minutes. It's surprising how much this boosts confidence and energy.

One HR professional shared: "Chair yoga breaks have been a real game-changer. Our longer meetings now feel lighter, more energized, and the team stays actively engaged."

For even more wellbeing inspiration, check out our articles on Employee Wellness Activities, Fun Activities for Online Meetings, and Team Bonding Exercises on Zoom.

Virtual Team-Building Activities to Improve Mental Health

The virtual work environment can sometimes feel isolating, but with thoughtful team-building activities, we can create meaningful connections that support mental wellbeing while boosting team performance. These activities go beyond simple icebreakers—they build the foundation for a psychologically safe environment where team members can truly thrive.

Team Bonding Games That Support Wellbeing

When we connect through play, we often find new dimensions of our colleagues that strengthen our working relationships. Virtual scavenger hunts have become a team favorite at many organizations we work with. Rather than focusing on random objects, try creating a wellbeing-themed hunt where team members need to find "something that makes you smile" or "an object that helps you relax." These personal items become natural conversation starters that deepen connections.

One team leader from a software company shared a powerful success story: "We organized a virtual escape room for our quarterly team event. The collaborative problem-solving was fun, but the real value came from seeing different team members step into leadership roles we hadn't witnessed before. It changed how we work together in our regular meetings."

Team trivia with a wellbeing twist offers another engaging option that combines fun with awareness. Create questions related to health facts, stress management techniques, or even your company's wellness initiatives. This not only entertains but also reinforces important wellbeing concepts in a memorable way.

For a quick activity that builds creative connection, try collaborative storytelling. Begin a positive or uplifting story with a single sentence, then have each team member add their own sentence to build the narrative. The resulting story often brings laughter while creating a shared experience that strengthens team bonds.

Building Psychological Safety Through Virtual Activities

Psychological safety—the belief that one can speak up without fear of negative consequences—forms the bedrock of high-performing teams. In virtual environments, we need to be even more intentional about creating this foundation.

The Question Round offers a simple yet powerful approach. Pose a thoughtful question that invites appropriate vulnerability, such as "What's something you've been learning about yourself recently?" Always allow people to pass if they prefer not to share, reinforcing that psychological safety includes respecting boundaries.

"After implementing regular Strength Spotlights, we noticed team members became more willing to take risks and share innovative ideas," reported one team manager we worked with. "People feel more confident when they know their contributions are seen and valued." This activity involves taking turns highlighting each team member's unique strengths and contributions, helping everyone feel recognized for their authentic selves.

The "I Wish My Team Knew..." exercise creates space for honest communication in a structured format. Collect anonymous responses to this prompt before the meeting, then share and discuss them together. This often surfaces important insights that might otherwise remain hidden, building trust and understanding among team members.

For ongoing connection-building, consider implementing Virtual Coffee Roulette, which randomly pairs team members for 15-minute virtual coffee chats outside of regular meetings. These one-on-one connections often build trust that carries over into team settings and helps break down silos between departments or hierarchical levels.

Creative Icebreaker Activities That Promote Wellbeing

Creative icebreakers do more than just break tension—they open the door to meaningful connections while keeping the atmosphere light and engaging. The classic Two Truths and a Lie game works wonderfully in virtual settings. To give it a wellbeing focus, try specifying categories like "self-care practices" or "favorite ways to relax." This not only helps team members learn about each other but also shares valuable wellbeing strategies.

Virtual Show and Tell has proven particularly effective for remote teams. A team leader shared: "The virtual show and tell about wellbeing practices has been our most impactful icebreaker. People have shared everything from meditation cushions to running shoes to cookbooks, and it's sparked ongoing conversations about how we support our wellbeing outside of work." These conversations often continue in Slack channels or informal chats, extending the wellbeing focus beyond the meeting itself.

For a visually engaging activity, try Virtual Background Showcases with wellbeing themes. Ask team members to use backgrounds representing "your favorite outdoor space" or "a place that brings you peace." This creates natural conversation starters about personal wellbeing practices and often reveals shared interests among team members.

The Mood Colors exercise offers a simple yet surprisingly effective way to check in on emotional states. Ask everyone to share what color represents their mood today and why. This metaphorical approach often makes it easier for people to express complex emotional states in a safe, accessible way.

Fun Activities That Build Team Resilience

Fun and playfulness aren't just enjoyable—they build resilience by creating positive emotional reserves that help teams weather challenges. Virtual Dance Parties might sound silly at first, but they've become a beloved tradition for many remote teams. As one team leader admitted: "The virtual dance parties seemed silly at first, but they've become our team's favorite tradition. That two minutes of uninhibited movement and laughter completely shifts the energy of our meetings and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously."

Emoji Storytelling challenges the team to tell a story using only emojis in the chat. This playful exercise engages creativity, often results in laughter, and provides a mental break from more structured discussion. It's particularly effective as a transition between more intensive meeting segments.

For teams that enjoy friendly competition, Virtual Pictionary using a shared whiteboard works brilliantly. Choose wellbeing-related words as your drawing prompts to reinforce health concepts while having fun. This combines creativity with awareness in a way that energizes the team.

"Would You Rather - Wellbeing Edition" poses lighthearted questions related to wellbeing, such as "Would you rather have an extra hour of sleep every night or an extra hour of free time every day?" These questions often spark interesting discussions about personal priorities and wellbeing approaches.

For a more personal connection, periodically invite team members to share Talent Show Moments—60-second demonstrations of a non-work talent or hobby. This celebrates the whole person beyond their professional role and often inspires others to try new wellbeing activities.

Looking for more team building inspiration? Check out our guides to Team Building Activities for Online Meetings and Fun Activities for Online Meetings for additional ideas to keep your virtual gatherings engaging and supportive.

Encouraging Participation and Measuring Effectiveness

For wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings to truly energize your team and improve workplace culture, you need thoughtful implementation and clear metrics to track their effectiveness. Encouraging team participation and measuring impact might seem challenging at first, but with the right approach, it can become second nature—and highly rewarding.

Let's explore proven strategies that leaders can use to boost participation, build enthusiasm, and accurately measure the success of your virtual wellbeing initiatives.

Manager Strategies for Encouraging Participation

One of the most powerful ways leaders can encourage participation is simply to lead by example. When managers actively participate and show genuine enthusiasm for wellbeing activities, team members naturally follow suit. If your team sees you embracing deep breathing exercises or chair stretches, they'll feel more comfortable joining in.

It's also crucial to set clear expectations. Instead of treating wellbeing moments as optional extras, communicate clearly that these activities are integral to your team’s culture and productivity. Put them in your meeting agendas and make them a regular part of your remote routine.

If your team is new to virtual wellbeing activities, make things easy by starting small. Introduce short, low-pressure activities like quick gratitude rounds or simple breathing exercises. As your team grows comfortable, gradually introduce more interactive or vulnerable exercises, like guided meditations or virtual mindfulness sessions.

Additionally, it helps to offer options. Recognize that everyone’s comfort zone is different—some may love a virtual dance break, while others may prefer a quiet mindfulness practice. Rotating activities and allowing occasional choices keeps everyone engaged without pressure. Above all, normalize non-participation: reinforce the idea that team members can always choose to pass or participate at their own comfort levels. This approach helps build psychological safety, a key foundation for authentic team engagement.

A seasoned director of people operations shared this insight: "The most effective strategy I've found is transparency. Clearly explain why these wellbeing moments matter and how they improve both individual and team performance. When team members see the purpose behind the practice, engagement happens naturally."

Incentives and Recognition

Beyond simply encouraging participation, thoughtfully designed incentives and recognition can reinforce the value your organization places on wellbeing. Consider appointing rotating Wellbeing Champions within your team. These champions can take turns selecting and leading activities, fostering a culture that everyone helps shape.

Regularly celebrating impact also amplifies enthusiasm. When team members share positive experiences or outcomes from your wellbeing activities, highlight these stories in team discussions or virtual newsletters. This reinforces the importance of wellbeing and encourages continued participation.

Another effective strategy, especially here at Give River, is to integrate wellbeing with existing recognition programs. For instance, team members who consistently contribute to wellbeing initiatives can earn recognition points or special acknowledgment. You might even launch wellbeing challenges—short-term, friendly competitions around daily stretching, mindfulness sessions, or quick physical activities—adding a playful dimension to your virtual meetings.

Finally, never underestimate the power of leadership acknowledgment. When senior leaders actively recognize and thank teams that prioritize wellbeing, it sends a strong message about your organization’s values.

Surveys and Feedback Tools

Tracking the effectiveness of your wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings ensures they continue delivering meaningful results. Fortunately, measuring impact doesn't have to be complicated. Simple yet strategic feedback methods work wonders.

Short, regular pulse surveys following wellbeing activities can quickly capture your team's sentiment. Ask simple questions like, "How valuable did you find today's mindfulness exercise?" or "Did today's stretch break help you feel more energized?" These brief check-ins provide immediate, actionable feedback.

If you’re launching longer-term wellbeing initiatives, try before and after measurements. For instance, at the start of your program, measure baseline metrics like team engagement and stress levels. Check these again after consistent implementation to see the tangible difference your wellbeing strategy is making.

Don't underestimate the value of qualitative feedback. Provide easy, anonymous ways for team members to share honest opinions about what works best and why. You might find unexpected insights—like how much your team loves spontaneous gratitude circles or prefers shorter, more frequent stretch breaks throughout the week.

Leaders can also employ direct observation by noticing changes over time. Do more team members have their cameras on, actively engaging and smiling during meetings? Are group discussions becoming more open? These subtle changes reflect growing psychological safety and improved engagement.

Lastly, keep an eye on practical wellbeing metrics, such as reduced sick days, decreased stress reports, or increased use of your organization’s wellness resources. These indicators help illustrate the broader impact of your virtual wellbeing efforts.

One team leader shared this valuable insight: "We instituted a simple 'temperature check' poll at the end of each meeting—just a quick 1-to-5 rating of how helpful the wellbeing activity was. It gave us immediate insights and data-driven confidence in the activities our team values most."

When you thoughtfully encourage participation and actively measure outcomes, your virtual wellbeing activities won't just be nice-to-have—they'll become essential drivers of your team's happiness, productivity, and overall success.

Ongoing Virtual Wellbeing Initiatives

While individual wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings deliver immediate boosts to morale and connection, establishing ongoing initiatives creates a deeper, lasting culture of wellbeing for your remote or hybrid team. When teams consistently prioritize wellness, these actions become ingrained in the team's identity, helping everyone thrive both personally and professionally.

Virtual Wellness Programs

One powerful way to embed wellbeing into your remote team's culture is through structured virtual wellness programs. These programs provide continuity, regular check-ins, and actionable wellbeing moments that team members can look forward to.

For example, many teams find success by hosting regular themed wellness weeks. Each week or month, you could spotlight a specific aspect of wellbeing—like mental health, physical exercise, or healthy eating. During these themed weeks, daily micro-activities can be easily integrated into team meetings, creating shared experiences everyone can enjoy together.

To keep motivation high, consider launching wellness challenges. A friendly competition, such as step-count contests, hydration tracking, or meditation streaks, can inspire good habits and build camaraderie. It’s amazing how a little healthy competition can lead to healthier mindsets and stronger team bonds.

In addition, scheduling occasional expert-led sessions is a great way to deepen your team's understanding of wellbeing. Invite professionals to host short workshops on topics like stress management, ergonomics for home offices, or even the science of better sleep. These sessions not only educate but also demonstrate your organization's broader commitment to employee wellbeing.

You can further support these efforts by creating a shared wellbeing resource library. Having easy access to guided meditations, short stretching videos, wellness articles, and other resources makes it simpler for team members to prioritize their health during busy workdays.

Lastly, consider training and designating wellness ambassadors within your team. These ambassadors can champion wellbeing initiatives, answer questions, and motivate colleagues to participate consistently. One wellness program manager shared: "Our most successful initiative has been our quarterly wellness themes. With weekly challenges and daily meeting activities, we created a shared language and experience around wellbeing that truly brought our virtual teams together."

Employee Resource Groups Focused on Wellbeing

Another powerful approach to sustainable wellbeing initiatives is forming employee resource groups (ERGs) focused specifically on wellness. ERGs are employee-led communities that connect team members around common interests and experiences, offering mutual support and encouragement.

For instance, you might organize a mindfulness community within your workplace, where employees gather virtually to practice meditation together, exchange mindfulness tips, and support each other's mental wellbeing journeys. Similarly, an active lifestyle group can motivate colleagues through virtual workouts, step challenges, or sharing their favorite at-home fitness routines.

Mental health is crucial—especially in remote environments—and having a group like mental health allies can make a significant difference. These trained volunteers serve as approachable contacts when colleagues need extra support, providing a compassionate listening ear as well as information about company or external resources.

Work-life balance can also benefit from dedicated community support. A work-life harmony circle can offer strategies for maintaining healthy boundaries and promoting self-care. Similarly, a parents and caregivers network can provide specialized support to those navigating the unique wellbeing challenges of balancing work with caregiving responsibilities.

"Our mental health allies group has had a profound impact," shared one HR director. "Team members now have a compassionate first point of contact who can guide them toward the right resources, making the whole organization more supportive and empathetic."

Scheduled Wellness Check-Ins

Integrating regular, scheduled wellness check-ins helps to weave wellbeing into your team's weekly rhythm, fostering accountability and ongoing commitment to wellness goals.

One effective strategy is setting up a weekly wellness roundtable, an intentional space devoted solely to team wellness. Each session can feature rotating topics and activities, giving everyone a regular opportunity to reconnect, recharge, and feel supported.

To reflect on progress and identify new wellbeing needs, you might hold monthly reflection sessions. During these, your team can openly discuss successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. For example, you may notice that energy levels dip during especially busy periods, prompting you to proactively schedule additional wellbeing activities or support at those times.

Additionally, teams often benefit from quarterly wellbeing planning sessions. During these meetings, everyone collaborates to assess collective wellbeing, surface any gaps or emerging needs, and plan future initiatives that align with your team's evolving priorities.

At a more personal level, managers can incorporate quick one-on-one wellbeing conversations into their regular check-ins. By making wellbeing part of regular manager-employee dialogues, you convey that personal health and happiness are organizational priorities—and you help employees feel seen and heard as complete individuals.

Finally, conducting an annual wellbeing survey provides valuable insights into your team's health, happiness, and engagement. This comprehensive assessment gives your organization clear data that can guide future wellbeing strategies and ensure you’re truly meeting employee needs.

One team leader emphasized the impact of scheduled reflection sessions: "These monthly conversations help us notice patterns in team wellness. We've become much better at recognizing when our team needs extra support, and we can proactively address these needs before they become larger challenges."

By embedding ongoing wellbeing initiatives into your virtual team's culture, you're nurturing a workplace where everyone can flourish—emotionally, physically, and professionally.

Customizing Wellbeing Activities for Different Teams

When it comes to wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings, one size rarely fits all. Each team has unique dynamics, preferences, and needs. By thoughtfully customizing your approach, you'll create meaningful wellbeing experiences that resonate deeply with your entire team.

Adapting for Team Size

Team size significantly impacts how you structure your virtual wellbeing activities. For small teams (around 2-8 people), intimate sharing activities often work best. For example, you might open each meeting with everyone expressing gratitude for another team member. This builds genuine connections in a small, comfortable setting.

For medium-sized teams (9-20 people), breakout rooms are your best friend. You can easily split into groups of three or four for activities like "Rose, Thorn, Bud," where each member shares a highlight (rose), a challenge (thorn), and something exciting they're looking forward to (bud). Afterward, groups can share key insights back to the main group.

With larger teams (21+ people), activities need more structure and simplicity to keep everyone engaged. Polling tools or word clouds, which let each participant quickly contribute one word describing their current mood, work beautifully. These visuals become engaging, real-time snapshots of your team’s collective wellbeing without overwhelming your meeting time.

One team leader managing a department of 30 people shared, "Random breakout rooms transformed our wellbeing sessions. People connected with colleagues outside their usual circles, and it felt both fresh and personal."

Cultural Considerations

Cultural awareness is essential to ensuring your virtual wellbeing activities are inclusive and genuinely supportive. Teams are typically diverse, bringing together people from various backgrounds and cultural contexts. For instance, consider whether your team members hail from predominantly individualist or collectivist cultures. Individualistic cultures might appreciate personal sharing, while collectivist cultures may prefer group-focused activities with less spotlight on individual disclosure.

Language is another crucial factor. Ensure all instructions are clear and easy to understand, especially for non-native speakers. Allowing extra processing time and offering multiple participation methods—like chat responses or emoji reactions—are simple yet effective ways to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

For global teams, rotating meeting times across different time zones can also make your wellbeing activities feel equitable. Additionally, acknowledging and celebrating diverse cultural holidays allows team members to share meaningful wellbeing rituals from their backgrounds.

One global team leader shared, "Initially, our emphasis on verbal sharing was challenging for some colleagues from cultures where direct self-expression isn't common. Once we introduced additional options—like chat responses and emojis—engagement soared."

Technology Tools for Improved Wellbeing Activities

Choosing the right digital tools can boost the effectiveness of your virtual wellbeing activities dramatically. Virtual whiteboards like Miro or Mural offer great interactive spaces for collaborative creativity, allowing the whole team to contribute and visualize their ideas simultaneously. Polling tools such as Mentimeter or Poll Everywhere are ideal for quick pulse checks, anonymous sharing, and engaging visual feedback.

Wellness apps designed for teams, like Headspace for Work or Calm for Business, offer guided meditation sessions and group wellbeing challenges, bringing structure and accountability to your virtual wellness initiatives. Even using playful video conferencing features—like themed backgrounds, quirky filters, or virtual avatars—can inject a sense of fun and lighten the mood.

At Give River, we've noticed when wellbeing activities integrate seamlessly into everyday tools our teams already use, friction decreases and participation naturally improves. "When wellbeing activities fit effortlessly into our existing workflows, adoption rates skyrocket," notes our product development lead.

Tailoring Activities to Team Needs

The most meaningful approach to incorporating wellbeing activities into virtual meetings is to respond directly to your team's evolving needs and interests. Regularly gathering feedback through surveys or quick check-ins helps pinpoint where your team needs extra support. For instance, if team members express feeling isolated, you might focus your meetings on activities that strengthen social connections, like virtual coffee chats or "unexpected commonalities" games.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your approach based on team responses. It’s helpful to keep a curated collection—an "activity bank"—of tried-and-tested wellbeing exercises categorized by their purpose. This makes it easy to pick activities for energizing, calming, or connecting as needed.

Additionally, remember to consider seasonal and life-stage factors. Perhaps your team faces additional stress during busy reporting seasons—or winter months bring on the blues. Maybe your team includes many caregivers or new parents juggling family and work. Tailoring activities to address these specific needs improves their effectiveness and shows genuine care for your colleagues.

"Customizing wellbeing activities improves effectiveness. The best approach is to start with understanding your team's specific needs rather than implementing generic solutions."

A healthcare team leader perfectly summarized this: "Our team struggled with boundaries between work and personal life. By focusing specifically on simple 'transition rituals' at the start and end of our virtual meetings, we addressed our real challenges far more effectively than general activities ever could."

Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual Wellbeing Activities

How can we measure the effectiveness of virtual wellbeing activities?

When you've incorporated wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings into your regular rhythm, you'll naturally want to understand their impact. Measuring effectiveness involves a blend of quantitative metrics and qualitative insights to capture the full picture.

Start with pulse surveys—quick check-ins immediately after activities. Ask simple, direct questions such as, "On a scale of 1 to 5, how energized did today's wellbeing activity make you feel?" Over time, these surveys help you identify which activities resonate most with your team.

Additionally, observe broader trends and patterns. Do meetings with regular wellbeing breaks have higher attendance or more cameras turned on? Have you noticed a positive shift in engagement or participation? These observable behaviors can speak volumes about the impact your efforts are having.

Pair this data with qualitative feedback gathered from personal conversations or anonymous comment forms. Invite your team to openly share how certain activities have influenced their mood, productivity, or sense of connection. You might hear stories like, "The mindfulness breaks really helped reduce my anxiety during a high-pressure project," or "Quick stretches mid-meeting noticeably improve my energy."

Finally, look at broader wellbeing indicators across your organization. Metrics such as reduced sick days, higher productivity levels, or improved retention rates can all signal that your wellbeing initiatives are making a tangible difference.

One HR director shared a compelling example: "We found that teams consistently implementing wellbeing activities showed a 22% increase in their engagement scores over six months compared to teams that didn't. This insight helped us justify expanding these initiatives across our organization."

What technology tools can improve virtual wellness sessions?

Virtual wellness thrives when supported by the right tech tools—ones that make activities engaging, accessible, and seamless.

Your existing video conferencing platforms, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, already offer handy features such as breakout rooms, polling, and reaction emojis. These built-in tools transform ordinary meetings into interactive wellbeing sessions—imagine quickly polling your team’s stress level or using breakout rooms for small-group gratitude sharing.

Dedicated wellness platforms, such as Headspace for Work and Calm for Business, offer ready-made guided meditation sessions tailor-made for the workplace. These are perfect for starting or ending meetings with a calming exercise that requires minimal prep time.

For visual collaboration, tools like Miro, Mural, or Jamboard can amplify your team's creativity and engagement. Activities such as gratitude boards, vision exercises, or virtual wellness brainstorms become interactive and visually appealing.

Don't forget the value of asynchronous communication platforms, like Slack or Microsoft Teams. These tools let your team participate in wellness challenges, share wellbeing tips, or check in asynchronously—ideal for teams spread across different time zones.

At Give River, we've even taken it a step further by integrating wellbeing prompts and recognition opportunities directly into our employee experience platform. This allows teams to seamlessly blend wellbeing moments into everyday workflows, without juggling extra applications.

How can we encourage team members to participate in virtual wellbeing activities?

Getting genuine participation in your wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings takes a thoughtful approach, clear communication, and a dash of empathy.

First, always lead by example. When managers participate openly and enthusiastically (yes, even in the silly dance breaks), it sends a clear message: wellbeing matters, and it’s safe for everyone to join in.

Next, start small and build up gradually. Early on, introduce low-risk activities that ease your team into the idea—like a simple emoji check-in or a quick gratitude round. As comfort and trust build, you can introduce more interactive and personal exercises.

Explain the "why" behind these activities. Sharing the science-backed reasons for wellness moments—like improved productivity and reduced stress—helps your team grasp their genuine value. When people understand the purpose, they're more likely to engage authentically.

Offer choices whenever possible. Some team members may find meditation deeply fulfilling, while others might prefer physical stretch breaks or icebreaker games. Providing multiple ways to participate ensures everyone feels included and comfortable.

Regularly celebrate and acknowledge the impact of wellbeing activities. Sharing success stories or positive feedback reinforces their importance and effectiveness. Connecting these practices explicitly to improved work outcomes, like better creativity, collaboration, and morale, strengthens their perceived value.

Finally, make wellness integral rather than optional. Incorporate wellbeing activities consistently, so they become a familiar, expected part of your team's culture. Teams at Give River often rotate leadership for these activities, which distributes responsibility and boosts peer engagement. As one team leader expressed, "The turning point for us was when we started having different team members lead the wellbeing activities. People became much more invested in activities led by their peers."

Conclusion

As we've explored throughout this guide, wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings aren't simply nice-to-have additions—they're essential building blocks for creating resilient, connected teams in today's remote and hybrid work environments. The beauty of these practices lies in their simplicity and accessibility. Even five minutes devoted to team wellbeing can transform a standard video call into a meaningful experience that nourishes both individual team members and collective team spirit.

What makes these activities so powerful is their ability to acknowledge our shared humanity in digital spaces where connection doesn't always come naturally. When a team breathes together for 60 seconds before diving into project updates, or shares quick appreciations before ending a call, these small moments create ripples that extend far beyond the meeting itself.

The most successful teams I've worked with have made wellbeing a non-negotiable part of their virtual gatherings. They understand that consistency matters more than duration—regular brief wellbeing moments create more impact than occasional elaborate sessions. These teams customize their approach based on their specific culture, mixing mindfulness practices with physical movement, creative activities, and meaningful team bonding to address different dimensions of wellbeing.

What's particularly encouraging is how these practices create virtuous cycles within teams. As one team leader shared with me, "Once we started incorporating brief stretching breaks into our longer meetings, team members began suggesting other wellbeing activities they wanted to try. It sparked a cultural shift where people felt empowered to advocate for their needs."

The data supports these anecdotal observations. Teams that consistently implement wellbeing activities for virtual team meetings report measurable improvements in engagement, reduced stress levels, improved collaboration, and stronger social connections. These benefits directly translate to business outcomes through increased productivity, creativity, and retention.

At Give River, we've witnessed how integrating wellbeing into the rhythm of work aligns perfectly with our 5G Method—recognizing the humanity of each team member, providing guidance for healthier work habits, offering content that supports personal wellness, creating engaging interactions through gamification, and fostering a community of care and support.

As remote and hybrid work continue to evolve, the most successful organizations will be those that intentionally create spaces where human connection thrives alongside productivity. By implementing the strategies and activities we've explored, you're not just filling time in virtual meetings—you're cultivating the soil in which truly fulfilling and high-performing teams can grow.

The journey toward team wellbeing isn't a destination but an ongoing practice. Start where you are, with what you have, and watch how these small investments in team wellbeing yield remarkable returns in team cohesion, individual fulfillment, and collective performance.

Ready to take your team's wellbeing to the next level? Learn more about creating a thriving workforce with Team Building Solutions from Give River.