Organizational Wellness

11 Corporate Wellness Trends Shaping 2025

Last Updated Dec 9, 2024

Time to read: 12 minutes

Every New Year’s Day, Americans set the same ambitious goals: get fit, eat healthier, sleep better, and spend more time with loved ones. But by March, nine out of 10 have already given up.

This isn’t just a personal challenge—it’s also a workforce challenge. Wellness isn’t just about feeling good: It's also about driving retention, productivity, and success. Exhausted employees make mistakes, and unchecked stress can lead to costly health issues like heart disease and mood disorders.

The good news? HR can lead the charge with programs that empower employees to meet their wellness goals. By embracing comprehensive wellness strategies, you’ll not only help your team thrive but also build a healthier, more productive workforce—and boost your company’s bottom line.

State of Work-Life Wellness 2025: Download the free report

Hottest Wellness Trends in 2025

Wellness looks different for everyone, so how can you pinpoint wellness opportunities that are relevant for your entire workforce? One option is to analyze what is trending. This can help you identify what employees generally find useful and exciting.

Here are 11 other wellness trends for 2025, and actionable steps you can take to show your employees their wellness is your company’s greatest asset.

Corporate Wellness Trends: strength training, tech-first wellness initiatives, digital detoxes yoga, environmental wellness, breathwork, group fitness, plant-based meals, volunteering customized wellness, work-life wellness

Trend 1: Tech-First Wellness Initiatives

Wearable technology is having its moment, and it’s no surprise why! From tracking fitness goals to monitoring stress levels and even sleep patterns, these gadgets are empowering employees to take charge of their wellbeing in ways we couldn’t imagine a decade ago. Devices like smartwatches can even help monitor chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes, offering real-time data that supports better health decisions.

Employers are recognizing the impact too. Offering wearable tech as an employee benefit can be a game-changer, boosting engagement and demonstrating a commitment to holistic wellness. But it doesn’t stop at the wrist—wellness apps are like personal trainers for both the body and mind. Whether it’s fitness challenges, meditation sessions, or hydration reminders, these tools meet employees where they are, making wellness accessible and actionable.

And here’s a key insight: when wellbeing programs include tech solutions, they can ease the financial burden employees often associate with health initiatives. For example, employees who use Wellhub daily are 19% more likely to say their wellbeing is affordable. By subsidizing wearable devices or offering free app subscriptions, you create a culture of wellness that’s as inclusive as it is innovative.

Trend 2: Digital Detox Initiatives

Technology can be an incredible tool for wellness—but even the best tools need balance. Constant connectivity isn’t without its downsides. It can lead to burnout, increased stress, and disrupted sleep. In fact, 53% of employees report that stress impacts their sleep, and over a quarter specifically blame screen time for keeping them awake.

With screens now a part of almost every moment of the day, stepping back can be just as important as staying connected. For some companies, digital detox initiatives are becoming a key part of their wellness strategy. This could be as simple as office-wide breaks for walking or chatting in the breakroom—or introducing walking meetings to get people moving and off their screens. These moments of unplugging can help ease the stress of constant screen use and provide much-needed mental clarity.

The benefits go beyond the individual. Disconnecting can create opportunities for genuine human connection. Meaningful, face-to-face conversations can build a sense of community at work, reinforcing the trust employees have in their organization.

Looking to make it fun? Try a Device Detox Challenge! Encourage employees to spend a week avoiding social media during downtime or limiting non-essential screen use, and offer gift cards or company swag for those who stick it out. It’s a simple way to support better boundaries, reduce stress, and make wellness engaging and collaborative.

Trend 3: Strength Training

If you’re looking to energize your workforce, strength training is the wellness trend of 2025 that’s making waves—and for good reason. It’s not just about building muscle. Strength training boosts overall health, supports mental resilience, and reduces the risk of injuries. Plus, employees who prioritize physical fitness are 20% more likely to report positive wellbeing, a win for both happiness and productivity. No wonder strength training was the most popular fitness activity on Wellhub in 2024!

Making strength training accessible to your team is easier than ever. Options like gym memberships, virtual classes, or on-site workshops can help employees incorporate this impactful activity into their routines. And since 56% of employees cite time constraints as a barrier to exercise, offering efficient and flexible solutions is key.

With an employee wellness program like Wellhub, you can partner with local gyms or fitness apps to bring high-impact, time-saving workouts—like 20-minute strength sessions—right to your team. These offerings not only fit into busy schedules but also empower employees to prioritize their health. That’s a powerful return on investment for your wellness program!

Trend 4: Yoga

Yoga is powerful blend of movement and mindfulness that helps employees find balance in their busy lives. As stress and burnout continue to impact the workforce, yoga offers an accessible way to decompress, improve flexibility, and boost mental clarity. By incorporating yoga into your wellness offerings, you’re empowering employees to thrive both mentally and physically.

What makes yoga so impactful? It’s for everyone. Whether your team is filled with beginners or seasoned practitioners, yoga meets people where they are. And with 12% of employees citing accessibility as a barrier to exercise, providing convenient, inclusive options can make a big difference — a compelling explanation for why yoga check-ins increased 7% on Wellhub last year, the largest increase of any wellness activity.

Through a wellness program like Wellhub, you can offer virtual classes or partner with local studios to bring yoga directly to your team. This ensures employees across all locations feel supported in their wellness journeys. For hybrid or remote workforces, virtual classes extend the reach of your program, making it easier than ever to help your team prioritize their health and wellbeing. Yoga doesn’t just support individuals—it strengthens your workplace culture, too.

Trend 5: Supporting Environmental Wellness

Employee comfort is taking center stage in 2025 as a key driver of wellness. Discomfort isn’t just distracting—it directly impacts productivity and engagement. Whether employees are in the office or working from home, a poor environment can sap morale and reduce output. And disengaged employees cost businesses a staggering $8.9 trillion globally in lost productivity.

A well-designed, ergonomic workspace does more than just look good. It prioritizes employee health, reduces stress, and fosters focus. Simple upgrades like better lighting, ergonomic furnishings, or even a few plants can make a huge difference. Natural light, for example, is a game-changer—62% of employees rank it as the most desired office feature, according to Zipdo. These touches create an environment where employees feel cared for and ready to perform at their best.

For remote teams, HR can bring environmental wellness home. Companies can offer reimbursements for home office equipment or provide ergonomic essentials directly to employees. But it doesn’t stop at furniture—encouraging regular movement and breaks is just as important. Team leaders can set the tone, organizing remote-friendly activities like afternoon stretching sessions to refresh and refocus.

When employees feel comfortable and supported, they’re not just healthier—they’re happier, more engaged, and ready to contribute their best. A little investment in environmental wellness can pay major dividends for your team and your company.

Trend 6: Breathwork as a Wellness Tool

The power of breath often goes unnoticed—but it’s a wellness tool that can transform energy, focus, and even work performance. Ancient breathing techniques, like pranayama, don’t just reduce stress—they can balance the nervous system, boost morale, and help employees feel more centered during the workday.

Take the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, for example. It’s a simple yet powerful way to pause, reset, and refocus. To try it, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7, and exhale fully through your mouth with a whooshing sound for a count of 8. Just a minute of this can quiet the mind and improve clarity.

Breathwork isn’t just effective, it’s accessible. These exercises can be done anywhere, anytime, with minimal effort—perfect for the workplace. Sometimes, it’s the smallest shifts that make the biggest difference. In fact, Wellhub’s State of Work-Life Wellness 2025 report found that employees who regularly practice mindfulness are far more likely to thrive both mentally and physically.

Why not integrate breathwork into your wellness offerings? Hosting monthly virtual or in-person sessions to teach these techniques could increase vitality and engagement across your team. Consider replacing the typical coffee break with a “breathing break” to create a workplace culture that prioritizes balance and wellbeing. Small investments in mindfulness can lead to big rewards for both your employees and your business.

Trend 7: The Return of Group Fitness

As revealed in Wellhub’s State of Work-Life Wellness 2025 report, 88% of employees believe their wellbeing at work is just as important as their salary. One impactful way to support their wellness? Group fitness. Beyond promoting an active lifestyle, group fitness fosters social connections that enhance workplace culture.

Group workouts offer more than just physical benefits—they create a shared sense of motivation. Exercisers often push themselves harder in a group setting, overcoming common barriers like a lack of motivation, which 29% of employees cite as a reason they don’t exercise regularly. That’s why activities like pole fitness, Pilates mat, aerial yoga, and aerial hoop are joining the ranks of standbys like CrossFit and spin as popular go-tos. Plus, fitness classes double as an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen team dynamics.

Why not sponsor a monthly group fitness outing—either in-person or virtually? Rotate through different studios or workouts to keep it fresh and exciting. Scheduling these sessions for around 4 p.m. sends a clear message: you genuinely care about your team’s work-life wellness. It’s a simple, energizing way to support your employees’ health, wellbeing, and sense of community.

Trend 8: Plant-based meals

You don’t have to go fully vegan to enjoy the benefits of a plant-based diet—and more people are embracing this flexibility. In fact, 47% of Americans now identify as “flexitarian,” meaning they aim to eat more plant-based meals than meat-based ones, according to a study by One Poll. It’s easy to see why: plant-based diets are linked to weight loss and a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers.

But here’s the challenge: 35% of employees say cost is a barrier to eating healthier, while 19% point to a lack of access. Employers have a unique opportunity to step in and make plant-based options both accessible and affordable for their teams.

One simple way to support this shift? Stock the break room with healthy plant-based snacks. Think fresh fruits and veggies, raw nuts, plant-based protein bars, and dairy alternatives like oat or almond milk. For remote employees, you can sponsor healthy meal kit delivery. Small steps like these show your commitment to employee wellbeing while making healthier choices easier—and tastier—for everyone.

Trend 9: Volunteer together

Volunteer programs are a powerful way to uplift morale, enhance productivity, and foster a more engaged workplace. Employees, especially from Gen Z and millennial generations, are increasingly seeking ways to align their work with their passion for social change, as highlighted in Deloitte’s 2022 Global Survey. The benefits are clear—volunteering supports both employee satisfaction and overall wellness.

While organizing volunteer opportunities is a fantastic start, there are more ways HR can empower employees to make a difference. One impactful approach? Offer financial support or flexibility for volunteering. For example, 66% of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose member firms provided PTO for volunteer activities in 2019, according to the Harvard Business Review. This kind of support allows employees to pursue projects they care deeply about, fostering social wellness and a sense of purpose.

By prioritizing volunteer initiatives, you’re not just supporting individual employees—you’re building a workplace culture that values connection, contribution, and meaningful impact. That’s a win for everyone.

Trend 10: Customizable Wellness Programs

When it comes to wellness, one size doesn’t fit all. Offering a program tailored to individual employee needs is one of the most effective ways to boost engagement and satisfaction across your organization. In fact, 61% of employees with wellness programs report being happy at their company, compared to just 36% without one.

Truly customizable wellness programs go beyond just physical health. They include mental wellness apps, nutrition resources, and flexible options that address the holistic needs of your workforce. Take Miami Children’s Hospital as an example: their personalized wellness program—with tailored goals, incentives, and follow-ups—helped 77% of participants achieve their health targets, according to Corporate Wellness. The takeaway? Programs thrive when employees can choose what works best for them.

With a platform like Wellhub, you can design a wellness program that meets the diverse needs of your team. From fitness plans and nutritional guidance to mental wellness resources, customizable options ensure higher participation and better outcomes. Flexible wellness isn’t just a trend—it’s the key to a happier, healthier workforce.

Trend 11: Promoting Work-Life Wellness

Flexibility essential to today’s workplace, one where 89% of employees say they’ll only consider companies that prioritize wellbeing when searching for their next job.

Work-life wellness initiatives are critical for preventing burnout, reducing stress, and boosting retention. Flexible schedules, hybrid work models, and unlimited PTO are just a few ways organizations are meeting these needs.

Their impact is clear: employees with access to wellness programs like Wellhub are more than twice as likely to report they have time to care for their wellbeing. These programs make wellness a reality, not just a buzzword.

Leadership plays a vital role in creating a culture of work-life wellness. Encouraging breaks, unplugging after hours, and using PTO signals to employees that their health matters. This support fosters higher job satisfaction, better productivity, and deeper loyalty.

Programs like Wellhub make it easy to implement impactful wellness policies, from flexible hours to dedicated wellness days. When your workplace prioritizes rest and recharge, you’re not just promoting balance—you’re building a resilient, engaged workforce.

Employee Wellbeing is Always on Trend

Companies that prioritize holistic wellness see better retention, engagement, and productivity, proving that wellness isn’t just good for employees—it’s good for business. And, when 83% of workers would consider leaving a company that does not focus on employee wellbeing, it’s no wonder organizations are looking for corporate wellness solutions.

Wellhub lets HR leaders act on all of these trends and more. With personal trainers and sleep trackers, group exercise classes and yoga studio memberships, and more, Wellhub is ready to meet employees wherever they are on their wellness journey. There’s a reason more than 50,000 companies already trust their workforce wellness to Wellhub!

Talk to a Wellhub Wellbeing Specialist today for help launching a wellness program!

Company healthcare costs drop by up to 35% with Wellhub! (* Based on proprietary research comparing healthcare costs of active Wellhub users to non-users.) Talk to a Wellbeing Specialist to see how we can help reduce your healthcare spending!