NTM recently wrapped up our 6th Annual Wellness Challenge. The Challenge began as a result of staff working from home during the pandemic in the summer of 2020 as a way to keep interaction going between employees and boost morale. This virtual challenge was created to encourage employees to work as a team to incorporate healthy eating, exercise, and mindfulness. Today, the Challenge remains popular with an impressive 90% of staff participating.
Employees posted photos, recipes, and encouragement to a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel, allowing staff from all offices, including remote, to participate. Over the course of six weeks, employees incorporate weekly themes into their activities. Themes for this year included music as motivation, stress management, getting outside, focusing on mindfulness, and grabbing a buddy. Points were given for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, healthy eating, and posting at least one image a week to the Teams channel. Bonus walking and biking challenges were added for additional competition. Weekly and overall prizes were awarded at the end of the six weeks.
Of the 90% of staff who participated, 79% participated in 5 of the 6 weeks. In a separate bonus challenge, NTM employees logged a remarkable total of 1,429 walking/running miles and 1,360 biking miles.