23 Sep 2019 | by Lucy Saxton

To mark event wellbeing week, last week, we give Event Planners our top tips on keeping attendees well, and happy as Larry at your next event…

Snack right

First thing’s first, when you’re working at a busy event, chained to your desk, burning the candle at both ends, or even attending an event yourself; having healthy snacks on hand is the key to keeping focused and fuelling not only your body, but that wonderful mind of yours too. The right healthy snacks can keep you energised and, on the ball, making you feel great and positive and ready for anything… You want to keep your attendees feeling great but that starts with you as the Event planner. Practice what you preach!

Feel good fuel

When providing snacks at your events for delegates or attendees, or searching for snacks on the go at an event you’re at, you need to look for food that will feed your mind. In a nutshell (tasty!) you need to steer well clear of starchy, carb heavy snacks… Why? Because these kinds of foods can make you tired, sluggish, jittery and anxious and won’t do any favours for a positive outlook and happy mind. Fuel yourself with foods and snacks at an event that help you to feel focused, creative and energised! When your Gran told you as a kid that you are what you eat, she was right…

We were on a break…

So, you’re now taking note of what you and your attendees eat at your next event, but have you considered making time for them to eat it and properly enjoy and digest it- whilst grabbing 5 minutes to check in with themselves and decompress a little? If you’re organising an event, make sure your attendees have enough time to grab a snack and zone out a little. Provide a chilled out space in which they can do just this… A well thought out break room or chill out zone with fresh fruit, herbal teas, invigorating smoothies and fruit infused water, along with healthy and nutritious snacks will re-energise and lift the mood of your attendees. If attendees take a proper break, eat something nutritious and take 5 to chill, they’ll be ready for anything for the rest of the event and you’ll ditch all those yawns and washed out faces…

Wellness wall

At your next conference or event, consider building a wellness wall! The aim of this is to encourage delegates and attendees, before the first morning session, or at the end of a session to write their ‘gratitudes’ on paper or on post-its, to be stuck directly onto a wall display with a little polaroid of themselves (optional of course if they’re camera shy!)

Writing down something you’re grateful for can be a real feel good boost and really ground attendees, if they’re feeling stressed or jittery at an event. This  exercise will stimulate mindfulness and create a real positive space! This note could relate to a person that has inspired them at the event, a fun activity or session they have taken part in that has made them feel great, or something fantastic and new they have learnt! The aim of this activity is to highlight that it can often be the small things that make us feel great! Amen to that…

Walk this way… talk this way

Stuck in a conference centre all day and feeling meh? We feel you… which is why loads of organisers these days aren’t just arranging show meetings on the show floor (with no natural light and fresh air) but putting their trainers on and opting for a walking meeting instead? “A walking meeting?!” we hear you cry? SAY WHAT? Believe it delegates, it’s happening! Walking meetings are a powerful way to change the context of your meeting from a traditional, overfamiliar (*ahem, boring) learning setting to one with fresh air and loads of outside stimulation! They are also an opportunity to stay on task while keeping moving. A walking meeting works best with a clear task or topic to discuss and a set time-frame. Try replacing the group breakout discussions you’d normally have around a table, with a walking conversation with the same participants and walk this way into the great outdoors…

If music be the food of love… PLAY ON!

 Ever been to a silent disco? The clue is in the name… your own headphones connected to a DJ playing super cool beats… Why not try this at your next event? Have a DJ playing chill out tunes and provide comfy big headphones and comfy big chairs for your delegates to have a nice sit down and let their worries and cares disappear as they get into the groove of the music. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management, so it’s definitely time to bring the beat back!

Lucy Saxton

By Lucy Saxton

Lucy Saxton is a journalist, content creator, social media advisor and broadcaster. Studying Criminology at Leicester Uni and completing an MA In print Journalism at The University of Sheffield, she began her career as Features Editor of the popular teen girls magazine, MIZZ Mag. More recently, Lucy has worked for Cosmopolitan Magazine and Seventeen Magazine. Lucy was previously a Journalist at M&IT Magazine which saw her travelling around the world and launching several social media channels for CAT MEDIA. Lucy is a regular travel correspondent on BBC radio.More articles by Lucy Saxton