By the time February hits, most workplaces are sprinting. Projects are in full swing, inboxes are overflowing, and wellbeing has quietly dropped to the bottom of the priority list. Again.

But here’s the thing: the start of the year is when your team actually needs it most.

Habits are being set. Energy is still fragile. Focus is being decided. And that’s exactly why smart workplaces start planning their Q1 wellbeing calendar now – not once it’s too late and everyone’s already running on caffeine and crossed fingers.

As someone who runs nutrition and wellness workshops for organisations like the Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage, Jones & Co Property and the Waalitj Foundation – I’ve seen firsthand what works in 2025. (Fun fact: 94% of staff at DPLH said my session exceeded expectations.)

So I’ve pulled together a ready-made Q1 calendar that’s equal parts practical and powerful. Use it as-is, or tweak it to fit your team.

January: Setting the Tone Without Burning Out

Even without official ‘days,’ January is a natural reset. People are reflecting, recharging, and asking themselves what better looks like this year. And yes – whether you prompt it or not, your employees are already setting new health goals.

If you ignore it? That’s a missed opportunity to support them, and retain them.

Try This:

• Run a short Healthy Habits Kickstart Challenge (small daily actions, low lift, high payoff)
• Host a Lunch & Learn Q&A where staff can ask nutrition, sleep, and movement questions
• Set up a reflection wall or intention board in shared spaces (virtual or physical)
• Offer a workshop on how to maintain health habits – not just setting them

👉 When workplaces align with this new-year momentum, they shape a culture that’s calm, focused, and sustainable – instead of frantically reactive by March.

February: Heart Health + FebFast

February is your cue to shift into more specific wellness themes – without overwhelming people.

Between Heart Health Month and FebFast, there’s built-in awareness and easy hooks. Heart disease remains one of the top causes of death in Australia, and lifestyle shifts are one of the most powerful (and empowering) tools we have.

Try This:

• Launch a Wear Red Day to fundraise and talk heart health (adds visibility + meaning)
• Run a ‘Move More’ step challenge or walking group (bonus: team bonding)
• Swap Friday drinks for a Mocktail Bar, tying it to FebFast fundraising
• Offer a nutrition session on heart disease prevention – especially useful for staff with a family history

A few low-lift ideas in February can help keep the momentum from January going strong – and help prevent the typical Q1 slump.

March: Nutrition, Sleep + Brain Health

March is where things usually start to wobble. People are busy, tired, and at risk of dropping the habits they set in January. This is the perfect time to make wellbeing feel practical and doable again.

Lucky for us, March comes with three incredibly relevant pillars:

• Nutrition Month
• World Sleep Day (March 13)
• Brain Awareness Week (March 16–22)

Try This:

• Set up a Smart Snack Station in the kitchen (here’s my free list of ideas)
• Ask each department to share a favourite healthy recipe – or even bring it in!
• Book my Eat Well, Work Well workshop series to run across the month
• Run a Sleep + Performance session (evidence + real talk = powerful)
• Trial a No-Meeting Morning to reduce cognitive load
• Watch the Brain Foundation webinars as a team, or share as a resource
• Host a Q&A with your EAP provider or mental health lead
• Wrap up with something fun: a team quiz or creative brain challenge

By March, it’s not about new ideas – it’s about helping people sustain what they started.

Why You Should Plan Now

The best workplace wellbeing isn’t built on big gestures. It’s built on rhythm and consistency.
It shows up when people are motivated (January), keeps things light and visible (February), and supports people when they start to flag (March).

When you plan your Q1 in advance, you build:

• Visibility (it doesn’t get lost in inbox chaos)
• Consistency (people know what to expect)
• Credibility (it’s not performative – it’s planned)

And yes – I’d love to help. If you need support running evidence-based wellness and nutrition workshops for the workplace that actually land with your team, you can contact me here.

Let’s make workplace wellbeing initiatives something your team actually remembers – not just survives.

Q1 2026 Wellness Initiative FAQ’s