11 Stress Relief Group Activities for Adults

Nearly half of full-time employees, around 48%, occasionally experience burnout at work, while 28% feel burnt out very often or always. Remote work has exacerbated this issue, blurring the boundaries between work and home life for many. To combat burnout, organizations should implement stress management group activities, particularly in remote settings. These activities can provide teams with opportunities to rest, recharge, and strengthen connections with colleagues. Here are eight stress management group activities to consider implementing.

Icebreakers

Icebreakers help new employees connect and create a friendly workplace, which is crucial, especially when working remotely. You can make employees get to know each other better by asking questions or playing games like “two truths and a lie.” Here are some questions to start with:

• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• What legacy do you want to leave behind?
• What’s tough about working from home?
• What’s your favorite book, and why?

Play Trivia Games

Trivia games are one of the best stress relief activities for groups because they can boost mental health and team bonding, say psychologists. They’re easy to play, whether online or in person, and can boost motivation among employees. To host an online trivia night, use a trivia generator or app for questions and assign a host to keep score. Group employees into teams, perhaps by department, and have them discuss answers in group chats before submitting. To make it engaging, offer a prize, like a gift card, to encourage participation.

Team Lunches

Regular team lunches foster informal connections among employees, so schedule them often, preferably away from the workspace for a more relaxed atmosphere. Taking breaks, even short ones like a 15-minute coffee break, can boost performance. If your team is remote, you can still enjoy meals together by offering a monthly lunch stipend or making team lunches a cultural norm, either virtually or in-person if possible.

Host Movie Nights

Organize a company or team movie event occasionally to bond over shared interests. You can host it virtually with a Netflix party or in person. Keep it engaging by ordering snacks to be delivered to everyone’s homes or by setting up a group chat for discussion during the movie to avoid interruptions.

Check-ins to Relieve Stress

Encourage open discussions among your employees/team to relieve stress and build closeness. Regularly providing opportunities to talk about challenges, stressors, and successes can create a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing. You can start this practice early on in projects or team formations to establish norms and assess teamwork. Additionally, consider scheduling weekly or biweekly check-ins to openly address any concerns and find solutions. Adapt the process to fit your team’s needs and goals, whether it’s prioritizing well-being or boosting workplace happiness.

Physical Exercises & Activities

Encourage team members to get active together, whether online or in-person. Physical activity helps reduce stress and boost mental health. Try step count challenges, take walking breaks, or do quick stretches during the day. Join workout classes together, like dance, yoga, or strength training, to build camaraderie and support each other’s fitness goals.

Connect in Art Workshops

Art workshops give employees a chance to unleash their creativity and reduce stress. Think about setting up workshops like virtual painting or crafting sessions for teams to join. Make sure everyone has the right supplies by giving them lists or sending art kits. You can bring in a pro artist to lead or have team members work together on a shared artwork.

Mindfulness Sessions & Meditation

Think about having regular mindfulness sessions for employees to do guided meditation or deep breathing. These activities help with stress, focus, and feeling calm inside. Tell people to find a quiet place to meditate and focus on their breathing to stay in the moment and let go of stress. Give them resources like recorded meditations or suggest meditation apps with sessions for beginners to experts.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are great for building bonds, teamwork, and making newcomers feel welcome. They need you to think smart, solve problems, and enjoy some friendly competition. When people are active, focused, and taking chances during a scavenger hunt, they enter a special mental zone where they feel super productive, happier, and relaxed. It’s like getting all the good stuff rolled into one fun activity!

Share Gratitude

Saying thanks can make you feel better and less stressed out. It might even help keep your heart healthy. When you focus on what’s good, it can help balance out the tough stuff in life, like stress or feeling like you’re missing out. You can practice gratitude in lots of ways, like making lists, writing in a journal, or sending thank-you notes to people who mean a lot to you. You can even do gratitude activities together, like playing gratitude games. It’s a fun way to feel grateful as a group.

Stress Ball Toss

This activity is one of the top fun stress management group activities for adults that works for any group, big or small. It helps people deal with a little stress in a safe place and learn how to handle it. It’s also a chance to practice staying focused and maybe even find some humor in tough moments. Plus, when everyone in the group goes through it together, they can support each other. Afterward, they can talk about being mindful—paying attention to the present—and why it’s important not to multitask too much. It’s all about learning how to manage stress and stay on track.

Try These Tried and Tested Group Activities for Stress Management

Let’s make work better! Try these fun activities with your team to beat burnout and build connections. From icebreakers to mindfulness sessions, there’s something for everyone. Start today and see the positive change it brings to your workplace!