Why we should consider the benefits of movement and stretching breaks during conferences
Start the year with a mind & body reset.
January is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and refocus. Discover how adding mindfulness, yoga breaks, and breathwork to your away day can boost team wellbeing and productivity.
Small changes can make a big impact, especially when it comes to creating a more balanced, energised workplace.
At Horizon Leeds, we’ve partnered with HÄLSA Wellbeing to explore how movement and stretching breaks can transform the conference experience for your delegates.
Why movement breaks matter
Conferences are brilliant opportunities for people to get together, to learn, to be inspired, connect and to network! However, they also usually involve very long periods of sitting down.
As well as the impact on our Musculoskeletal health, long periods of sitting mean that we can become physically tired and brain fatigued. Our posture can be hugely impacted, so organisations must consider adjustments to the conference day to avoid causing unnecessary strain and potential discomfort.
This is why stretching and movement breaks are important. They are not just a fluffy, nice-to-have wellbeing inclusion; they can hugely elevate the entire conference experience. Let’s have a close look at why:
The benefits of stretching breaks
- Helps with energy and focus
Sitting for extended periods reduces blood flow and can leave attendees feeling sluggish. Gentle stretching re-energises both body and mind. Just 2–5 minutes of movement increases circulation, delivering more oxygen to the brain and improving mental clarity. So rather than delegates nodding off, after a short stretching break, they can return to sessions more alert and ready to engage.
- Makes the conference experience more comfortable
Even with the best conference seating, a full day of looking at screens or hunching over notebooks can lead to tight shoulders, sore backs, and stiff hips. Stretching helps release tension and keeps joints mobile, preventing discomfort from escalating into distraction or worse, lasting pain.
- Increases engagement
When people feel physically good, they participate more fully. Stretching breaks act as a “reset,” helping attendees to stay present. They are also fun, get people engaged together and break up an agenda-heavy day.
- Show you care and keep it inclusive
When you add any type of movement session to a conference schedule, it shows that you value wellbeing. Stretching sessions are also usually very inclusive – anyone can join in, and with the right facilitator, adaptations can always be made for those who want to join in.
- Keeps it different
Delegates always remember an event that has an impact and that makes them feel good. So, if you want your delegates to leave your conference feeling really refreshed instead of drained, it will have a lasting impact.
Practical tips for movement breaks
Let’s have a look at what you can do to help your delegates if they are sitting for long periods of time:
- Keep staff well hydrated to keep the blood flowing to support Musculoskeletal Health
- Encourage a regular movement break and lead the delegates through a routine
Try these simple techniques:
- Relax your shoulders and slowly move your head side to side, pausing for a moment on each side to feel the gentle stretch in the neck. Repeat x 4
- Slowly lower your chin down towards your chest, then slowly roll your chin to the left shoulder, then over to the right. Repeat x 4
- Slowly lower your chin down towards your chest, then keeping your chin down, raise your shoulders towards your ears, hold for a couple of seconds, then drop them back down. Repeat x 4
- Place your fingertips onto each shoulder, then slowly roll your elbows upwards and over, feeling the stretch around the shoulder blades as you roll. Repeat x 4
This low-cost inclusion into your day is something that will always be well-received. Your delegates’ bodies will thank you for it!
At Horizon Leeds, we’re passionate about ensuring delegate wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why this January, we’ve launched our brand-new Wellbeing Day Delegate Package, designed to energise, refresh, and inspire.
Your package includes:
- Room hire in an inspiring space
- Winter wellness shot
- Fresh bean-to-cup coffee
- Hydration station
- Healthy, seasonal lunch
- Sweet healthy treat
- Alternative milk options
- Mindful paper and pens
- Fidget toys
- Breakout areas
- Lunch-time netwalking maps
- Breathe Away Stress workshop
Why not create your bespoke Wellbeing Day Delegate Rate today and make it truly unique by including a guided stretching workshop? Give your delegates the gift of movement, mindfulness, and energy, because their well-being matters.
Start the year with a mind & body reset, and get in touch with the team book your Wellbeing Day Delegate Package.
