Staff Wellbeing Ideas to Start the New Year Right

Ah, the month of January.

Festive spirits fade, inboxes fill up, and we’re catapulted back to work feeling we should have a spring in our step, ready for the year ahead. In reality, a lot of people are running on empty. Many employees feel tired, unmotivated and struggling with disrupted routines from the festive season, especially with increased stress and financial pressures lingering after December.

The start of the year is a golden opportunity to invest in the health and happiness of your teams. Employee wellbeing and taking care of staff is thankfully gaining traction within forward thinking businesses. When employees feel cared for, morale soars, loyalty grows and productivity goes through the roof.

And it’s often the little things that make all the difference. Flexible working, real recognition and small gestures of care show your team they’re important. This guide gives you useful and realistic workplace wellbeing tips to help your teams reset, recharge and start 2026 feeling supported, valued and fired up for what’s to come.

Why Staff Wellbeing Matters After the Holiday Period

A lot of workers feel frazzled after the holidays, and January brings a seasonal dip that can make it harder to get things done. Many employees face the January blues or low mood after the festive period, which affects employee motivation, mental health and workplace culture.

This is where staff wellness initiatives can really shine. Regular check ins, flexible hours, open conversations and shared wellness activities are all simple ways to let your people know they’re valued.

Giving teams intentional help at the start of the year sets the stage for better health and wellbeing at work. It also strengthens communication, helps reduce employee stress levels and builds trust across the workforce. When organisations support employee wellbeing early in the year, the positive impact is felt long beyond January.

Practical Wellbeing Ideas for UK Workplaces

What are effective staff wellbeing ideas for businesses?

Some of the most impactful and scalable gestures include:

• Flexible working and hybrid options

• Mental health days and support

• Welcome back hampers or new starter boxes

• Regular recognition and rewards

• Team wellness events or subscriptions

Let’s take a look at these in more detail.

Flexible and Hybrid Working Policies

Flexible working is part of modern work culture and something many of today’s employees expect. As of April 2024, flexibility at work became a legal request from day one in England, Wales and Scotland. For businesses open to it, this enables you to build support and trust from the get go.

Hybrid schedules, staggered start times or occasional remote working help staff manage energy, reduce commutes and balance essential tasks with personal commitments. Offering flexible working options can significantly reduce employee stress levels, especially after the festive season when the return to routine can feel overwhelming.

With clear communication and agreed core hours, flexible working can transform workplace culture. Employees feel valued, supported and ready to start the year energised and focused

Mental Health Support and Time Off

Heading back to work after a break can feel daunting, especially for anyone grappling with stress, anxiety or burnout. Many employees experience increased stress at this time of year, so visible mental health support is crucial.

Building mental health days into your company culture reassures teams that it’s okay to take a break, recharge and look after themselves. It helps remove stigma and shows that supporting employee mental health is a true part of your ethos and not a token effort.

Checking in often, encouraging breaks and directing staff to Employee Assistance Programmes also makes support feel accessible. EAPs provide confidential 24 hour support and often include mental health help, legal advice and financial wellbeing resources, which can make all the difference during a challenging return to work.

Introducing mental health first aiders or training managers to recognise early signs of mental ill health can equip employees to reach out sooner and create a psychologically safe environment where colleagues feel comfortable speaking up.

Team Wellness Activities and Social Connections

Bringing your team together again after the holidays gets everyone back in the swing of things with a good boost to morale and motivation. Team building activities strengthen social connections and help combat isolation, especially during colder months.

We suggest keeping it simple with:

• Coffee catch ups or walking meetings

• Stretch breaks or mini mindfulness sessions

• Virtual quizzes or team challenges

• Time set aside to celebrate wins or give a shout out to colleagues

Small moments like these help people feel part of the team and create a sense of belonging, which is one of the most effective ways to boost wellbeing and workplace morale.

How Thoughtful Corporate Gifting Supports Wellbeing

A good corporate staff wellness strategy should also include meaningful surprises that make people feel valued.

At needi, we see every day how a little thoughtfulness can make a big difference. Explore our Winter Wellness collection or Wellbeing Gifts for Employees to support your team’s health and happiness in the new year.

When done right, corporate gifting can bolster other wellbeing initiatives to improve workplace culture. The result is a happier team who stick around, do well and give their best.

Corporate Hampers and Onboarding Welcome Kits

There’s something really special about starting the year with a thoughtful gesture.

Corporate hampers and new year reset boxes are a simple way to bring comfort and motivation to your team after the break. They help boost morale at a time when many employees are shaking off seasonal tiredness or financial pressures.

Some of our favourites include:

Morning Pick me up Bundle
A delicious mix of artisan coffee and luxury snacks to brighten anyone’s day.

Sweet Indulgence Hamper
Make the return to work something to celebrate with this delightful selection of sweet treats.

For new starters, welcome kits make onboarding feel personal and inviting. A mix of practical goodies, wellness items or a handwritten note shows staff they’re supported from day one.

Here are our top picks:

Warm Welcome Notebook Gift Set
A mix of practical essentials and comforting treats to help new starters settle in and feel instantly at home.

Daily Planner
A personalised planner to help new starters feel organised and welcome from day one.

Recognition Gifts and Rewards for Outstanding Work

Thoughtful staff rewards let people know their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed and naturally boost employee engagement. Even small gestures can have a powerful impact when they show genuine appreciation.

Popular recognition gifts include:

Experience gift card
A thoughtful way to recognise hard work and let staff choose something they truly enjoy.

Personalised Biscuit Box
When words aren’t enough, say it with biscuits. These sweet treats can be customised with a personal message.

Recognition is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost morale, reduce stress and help employees feel valued in their roles.

Setting Up an Annual Staff Wellbeing Plan (Budget and Strategy)

A smart wellbeing plan means creating a workplace culture where people feel supported, valued and motivated. Planning ahead keeps initiatives aligned with team needs, budgets and business goals, while also delivering real returns in productivity and staff retention.

Small Business or SME Friendly Approaches

For small businesses, simple, budget friendly ideas work wonders. Flexible working, small wellness activities or thoughtful treats can support staff without requiring major investment. Even small gestures, delivered consistently, can create a culture where employees feel valued.

Larger Teams and Enterprise Level Wellbeing Programmes

Larger teams benefit from scalable programmes such as structured wellness events, subscription services or rewards schemes that reach colleagues at all levels.

A staff rewards and recognition portal can work particularly well for big teams. It allows employees to pick rewards they love while organisations easily track engagement and manage budgets.

Measuring Impact: Engagement, Retention & Productivity Gains

Knowing what’s working is crucial once you have a wellbeing plan in place.

Keep things simple by using feedback loops, surveys and key measures such as engagement, sickness absence, exit themes, employee stress levels and retention. These insights help you understand what’s landing with your teams, what needs improvement and where future investment should go.

Over time, consistent wellbeing support will strengthen workplace culture, maintain engagement and lower turnover. It’s proof that wellbeing support benefits your team and your organisation.

Corporate Staff Wellness Done Right

January can feel overwhelming, but supporting your team doesn’t have to be. Small acts of care, flexible working and thoughtful recognition can transform workplace energy.

And when you need those moments to feel personal, seamless and uplifting, needi can help. We specialise in feel good experiences that boost wellbeing and keep teams motivated all year long.

Show your people you care, and the rest will follow.

Talk to our gifting experts and let’s make 2026 a year where everyone feels valued from day one

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why focus on staff wellbeing in January
A: January marks a transition from holiday downtime to work. Many employees feel sluggish or demotivated, so wellbeing initiatives help re engage teams, reduce burnout and set a positive tone for the year.

Q: Do SMEs need a big budget for staff wellbeing
A: No. Simple measures like flexible working, recognition gifts or occasional team events can significantly boost wellbeing without high cost.

Q: Can corporate gifting really affect employee retention
A: Yes. Consistent recognition and thoughtful gifts build loyalty and make employees feel valued, which improves retention over time.