The 12 Days of Workplace Wellbeing

Because wellbeing isn’t a luxury — it’s a foundation for thriving teams.

As the year draws to a close and the festive season brings its blend of joy, pressure, deadlines, celebrations, and reflection, leaders have a unique opportunity to refocus on what truly matters: the wellbeing of their people.

Inspired by the classic “12 Days of Christmas”, here’s a seasonal take on the small, meaningful actions that can transform workplace culture — not just in December, but all year long.

On the 1st day of Christmas, my workplace gave to me…

a culture where wellbeing is key.

Wellbeing isn’t an initiative; it’s a value. When leaders model calm, balance, boundaries, and compassion, teams feel safe to do the same.

On the 2nd day of Christmas…

Two mindful moments.

Advent is a perfect reminder of reflection and preparing for the festivities ahead. Encourage short, daily pauses — breathing exercises, a stretch, or a screen-free moment. Micro-breaks boost focus and reduce stress more than most people realise.

On the 3rd day of Christmas…

Three clear priorities.

Overwhelm often comes not from doing too little, but from trying to do too much. Support your team in choosing what really matters each week rather than piling on every task. Keep in mind also that the holiday season adds pressure too, so set out exactly, and realistically, what you need to accomplish to ensure your targets are met.

On the 4th day of Christmas…

Four flexible hours.

Flexibility is now a wellbeing essential. Offering occasional flex hours during winter can reduce burnout and increase productivity. Swapping an afternoon off to go shopping for an extra hour each evening can prove more than beneficial for you and your team. 

On the 5th day of Christmas…

Five minutes of praise.

Recognition doesn't have to be grand — just genuine. A quick, meaningful thank-you can shift someone’s entire day. Use your valuable time to give back something even more valuable. 

On the 6th day of Christmas…

Six ways to connect.

Human connection protects mental health. Facilitate supportive conversations, check-ins, collaboration, and team connection beyond task lists. We talk about 'joined up' working and practices, this will evolve naturally when the team experiences genuine connection.

On the 7th day of Christmas…

Seven supportive strategies.

Every organisation needs leaders who listen. Train managers to spot early signs of stress, respond compassionately, and signpost help. Strategise your support structure so your team has a functional network when needed.

On the 8th day of Christmas…

Eight open conversations.

Normalise talking about wellbeing — from workload challenges to personal pressures. When dialogue is open, problems don’t stay hidden. 

On the 9th day of Christmas…

Nine healthy habits.

Promote small routines that support health: hydration, movement, daylight, boundaries, sleep hygiene, gratitude, purpose, hobbies, and rest.

On the 10th day of Christmas…

Ten tasks simplified.

Remove unnecessary complexity. Review processes, meetings, approvals, and reporting. If it doesn’t serve the work, let it go.

On the 11th day of Christmas…

Eleven chances to learn.

Growth feeds morale. Encourage learning moments — courses, shadowing, coaching — and make development accessible, not an afterthought.

On the 12th day of Christmas…

Twelve months of wellbeing.

Wellbeing isn’t seasonal. Commit to sustaining these principles throughout the year, not just in December.

In a season known for giving, the greatest gift you can offer your team is a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. When organisations embed wellbeing into everyday culture, engagement rises, performance grows, and teams step into the new year with energy — not exhaustion.