The best time for wellbeing webinars: Getting strategic about seasons
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When it comes to event engagement, content is king – but timing is the kingdom. Many HR leaders can come up with great ideas for wellbeing events, seminars, and webinars, but struggle to get active engagement year-round.
One great way to plan events is to align them with awareness days throughout the year. But to keep things fresh, you can also look to plan topics around the seasons. By aligning wellbeing initiatives with the year’s natural cycles, you can create a more responsive, effective and ultimately more impactful events schedule that speaks to the challenges facing your people during that period.
Consider this: Would a seminar on managing holiday stress be as effective in April as it would be in early December? Probably not. That’s why you need to get strategic about when you schedule your wellness webinars and seminars, just as much as what you cover.
In this guide, we’ll look at how to use timing to boost your wellbeing initiatives. We’ll go season by season and provide insights and strategies to help you deliver the right message at the right time.
By the end you’ll have a roadmap to turn your wellbeing programme into a strategic year-round support system that resonates with your employees’ seasonal challenges.
Winter: Building resilience in the cold
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, winter brings its own set of wellbeing challenges.
This season of festive fun can also be a time of increased stress, emotional strain, and health concerns. Let’s consider how we can adapt our wellbeing initiatives to support our employees through these cold months.
Pre-Christmas: Mental health in the spotlight
As Christmas approaches, we need to acknowledge that this time of year isn’t merry for everyone. In fact, the pressure to be festive can make people feel more lonely, anxious and depressed.
According to the UK’s National Health Service, the number of people seeking help for mental health issues peaks in December and January. This is where timely support can make a real impact. Consider running webinars in early to mid-December on:
- Identifying holiday stress and depression
- Practical ways to manage holiday anxiety
- Building resilience and setting boundaries over the festive period
- Where to get help, including reminders about Employee Assistance Programmes
By tackling these topics upfront you’re not only providing support but also sending a powerful message: it’s okay not to be okay, even during the most wonderful time of the year.
January: New year, new me
January always brings a clean slate and chance to turn toward new beginnings.
This is when many of your employees will be making New Year’s resolutions and thinking about personal growth. It’s the perfect time to capitalise on this energy with webinars on:
- Setting realistic and achievable personal and professional goals
- How to build and maintain healthy habits
- Workplace relationships and communication skills
- Mindfulness and stress-reduction for the new year
A YouGov survey found that only 16% of Brits intended to make New Year’s resolutions last year – likely due to an ongoing sense of helplessness at actually keeping those resolutions. So why not get creative about how you help them do so?
February: Matters of the heart
February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day; it’s also UK and US Heart Month which is a great opportunity to focus on cardiovascular health and how it relates to overall wellbeing.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the UK. This stats is a stark reminder why heart health education in the workplace is so important.
To help turn the tide, why not consider getting creative with health focuses on:
- Heart health risk factors and prevention strategies
- Stress and heart health
- Easy heart-healthy nutrition tips
- Exercise for cardiovascular health with practical tips for cold weather
Spring (March – May): Wellness as nature awakens
As winter fades and spring arrives, there’s a natural shift in energy. Your employees will be emerging from their winter routines and ready for change and growth.
Spring is the perfect time to focus on rejuvenation, personally and professionally.
March: Spring into better sleep
As the clocks spring forward and we adjust to British Summer Time, March is the ideal time to shine a light on sleep health.
The Royal Society for Public Health says the average Briton isn’t getting enough hours of sleep a night – and far less than the recommended 7-9 hours. This sleep deficit has big implications for workplace productivity and overall wellbeing.
Help them learn how sleep is just as important as any other part of their wellness with these topical ideas:
- The science of sleep and physical and mental health
- Tips for better sleep hygiene with changing daylight hours
- How to create a sleep-friendly environment at home
- Managing shift work and irregular sleep patterns
By running these in the week of World Sleep Day (usually mid-March) you can tap into the wider sleep health conversations and give your employees the tools to rest better.
April: Financial wellbeing
The new tax year starts in the UK in April, making it a great time to focus on financial wellbeing. Money worries are a big stress for many employees. In fact, a survey by the Financial Conduct Authority found that a majority of UK adults feel vulnerable when it comes to their finances.
Webinars this month could cover:
- Workplace benefits explained
- Basic budgeting and financial planning
- Debt management and saving
- Retirement planning at different stages of your career
May: Mental health conversations
May is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK so it’s a natural time to focus on mental health initiatives.
The Mental Health Foundation says 1 in 6 adults experience a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression in any given week. That’s why focusing on topics that may seem a bit more challenging could actually relate to many more people than you think.
- Debunking mental health myths in the workplace
- Practical resilience and mindfulness techniques
- How managers can support team members’ mental health
- Introducing or reminding employees of mental health resources, including employee benefits and support
Summer (June – August): Wellness in the warmth
Summer brings longer days and hotter weather, which can offer its own set of wellness opportunities and challenges.
Employees will be juggling work with holidays, childcare during school breaks and wanting to make the most of the sunshine. Let’s look at how you can adapt your wellbeing initiatives to support your team through the summer.
June: Men’s health and work-life balance
June is a great opportunity to focus on men’s health, coinciding with Men’s Health Week (usually in mid-June). One in five men die before the age of 65 in the UK – with many of these deaths preventable. Men are also less likely to seek medical help or talk about health concerns than women.
Consider running webinars on:
- Common men’s health issues and the importance of prevention
- Mental health challenges specific to men, including breaking down the stigma around seeking help
- Work-life balance, a concern for many regardless of gender
- Practical tips for fitting healthy habits into a busy life
July: Food and hydration habits
As the temperatures rise, July is the time to focus on nutrition and hydration. Studies show that women should drink 2 litres and men 2.5 litres of fluid per day. But these needs increase with heat and physical activity, so summer is a key time to reinforce good hydration habits.
Webinars this month could cover:
- Why hydration is key to brain function and overall health
- Healthy, cool meal ideas for hot summer days
- How to stick to healthy eating during summer socials and holidays
- The benefits of seasonal fruit and veg and how to fit them into your diet
August: Working parents and child behaviour
When the school summer holidays reach their peak, August can be a tough time for working parents. Many parents not only struggle to balance work and childcare but also have to navigate their children’s behaviour during this extended break from school.
This month’s webinars might focus on useful strategies for managing child behavior and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for working parents.
- Managing work responsibilities when the children are on holiday
- Ideas for keeping children occupied during long summer days
- Managing child behaviour challenges that come with a change of routine
- Self-care for parents to avoid burnout during this busy time
Don’t forget supporting working parents isn’t just about those with young children. Employees with teenagers or young adults returning from university for the summer may also benefit from guidance on managing changing family dynamics.
Autumn: Harvesting wellness towards the year end
Autumn is a time of transition and preparation, as leaves fall and the air gets cooler. Employees are back from summer holidays, kids are back to school and organisations are gearing up for the end of year rush. Let’s look at how you can tailor your wellbeing initiatives to support your team through this time of change and anticipation.
September: Rebooting workplace wellness and productivity
September feels like a second New Year. It’s the perfect time to reboot workplace wellness and productivity. Personal schedules get busy, and many are coming off of summer holidays and trying to get back into a routine. This can lead to increased stress and anxiety, as well as productivity dips.
Consider running webinars that:
- Help combat the post summer holiday blues
- Help set and achieve end of year goals
- Time management tips to boost productivity
- How to maintain work life balance as things get busier
October: Physical fitness and ergonomics
October can be a great time to reboot physical fitness initiatives and look at workplace ergonomics. The Health and Safety Executive reported 470,000 workers in the UK suffered from musculoskeletal disorders in the past few years – many of which were work related.
Webinars this month could cover:
- Why physical activity is important as the weather changes
- Indoor exercise and desk stretches
- Ergonomics for office and home working environments
- The link between physical activity and mental wellbeing
November: Stress and burnout
As the year end approaches many employees will be feeling the pressure of looming deadlines and targets. Many UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. And men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women in the UK.
Help your employees find greater purpose and hope in their work with unique sessions in November that focus on these ideas:
- Teach stress management and mindfulness techniques
- Recognise the signs of burnout in yourself and others
- How to maintain work life balance during busy periods
- How to talk to your manager about workload
Wellbeing should be timely – but a year-round focus
Throughout the seasons, timing is everything. By tailoring your webinars and resources to the seasons you’ll engage your employees and provide real support.
Remember it’s not just about ticking a box on your HR checklist. It’s about building a culture where wellbeing is part of your organisation’s DNA, where employees feel supported and valued all year round.
By timing your wellbeing webinars well, you’re not just offering resources, you’re showing you understand the changing needs of your employees throughout the year. This will lead to higher engagement, better morale and a healthier more productive workforce.
So as you move forward ask yourself:
- How can you use the power of timing to take your wellbeing initiatives to the next level?
- How can you create a programme that resonates with your employees season after season, year after year?
With some planning and a seasonal approach you can make sure your wellbeing events are on time and relevant.