Memorable and thoughtful expressions of employee appreciation are welcomed as much as—or in some cases more than—cash rewards, and their effects can linger long after cash or a gift card is spent.
So, when employees meet a certain goal or maybe just because they’re great, consider these fun ways to show your appreciation, courtesy of Bonusly, an online employee recognition platform:
Food truck Fridays: Hire a popular food truck to come on-site and provide breakfast, lunch, or dinner for your staff.
Puppy playdate: If you have a dog-friendly workplace (no allergies!), ask your local humane society or foster group if it would be willing to bring puppies to your workspace. Bonus: This also provides great socialization for the dogs.
Happy hours: Whenever you have a little downtime, send employees home early. If possible, let them know in advance so they can really maximize the time off.
Company trophy: Whether it’s an actual trophy or, say, a giant stuffed animal, a physical trophy that gets passed around the office and proudly shown off by the winner is a fun way to show appreciation and motivate employees.
We’ve heard it all when it comes to how to get good sleep. Or have we?
Next time you’re struggling with getting some shut-eye, try one of these out-of-the-box ideas from Entrepreneur magazine.
Serve breakfast for dinner. Foods like bananas (with muscle-relaxing potassium), eggs (high in protein, which can help you sleep), and whole-wheat toast (a light source of carbs that regulate blood sugar) can fuel better zzz’s.
Paint your bedroom. Red, yellow, or orange are no-nos in the bedroom. Try cooler colors like blue, green, or gray to help lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Get outside. Spend an hour in the sun to help regulate your circadian rhythm. Bonus: You’ll get more vitamin D, which also helps you sleep.
Turn down the lights. Darkness helps boost levels of melatonin, so start dimming lights as early as 9 or 10 p.m. for an 11 p.m. bedtime.
Put on socks. Warming up your feet helps dilate blood vessels, which tells your brain it’s time to go to sleep.
Hide the clock. If you wake in the night, never look at the time. It only heightens your arousal level.
Consider getting a sleep “divorce.” It might be controversial, but up to 30% of couples sleep apart for the sake of better sleep—and perhaps a better partnership. •