Fitness Challenge Blog
How To Run a Holiday Giving Challenge
Giving for Wellness: A Holiday Challenge to Help Others and Yourself
December 13, 2024 by Joseph
The holiday season is often filled with joy, connection, and giving. However, beyond spreading cheer, helping others can also profoundly impact your physical and mental well-being. Research shows that acts of giving, whether through time, resources, or kindness, can lower stress, boost mood, and even improve cardiovascular health. A study published in Psychological Bulletin found that altruistic behavior is associated with greater overall well-being and reduced depression. Meanwhile, findings in BMC Public Health highlight how volunteerism and generosity lead to longer life expectancy and a stronger sense of purpose.
To harness these benefits, we’ve designed a Holiday Giving Challenge that promotes wellness through acts of kindness and generosity. This challenge is simple, engaging, and rewarding—both for participants and their communities. Over the course of the holidays, participants complete five giving-focused activities, each designed to spark joy and encourage meaningful connection. By focusing on helping others, participants not only uplift those around them but also strengthen their own physical and mental health.
Challenge Activities
Participants in the Holiday Giving Challenge will complete the following five activities:
- Donate to a Food Bank
Action: Participants visit a local food bank to donate non-perishable items.
Submission: Upload an image of the items donated. - Send a Thank-You Card
Action: Write and deliver a heartfelt thank-you card to someone who has positively impacted your life.
Submission: Submit the recipient's name (or relationship) and why they were chosen. - Volunteer Your Time
Action: Spend at least one hour volunteering with a charity, community group, or cause of your choice.
Submission: Submit the name of the group or charity that you helped. - Pay It Forward
Action: Perform a random act of kindness, such as paying for someone’s coffee or helping a neighbor with a task.
Submission: Select from multiple-choice options describing the act, or briefly describe it in your own words. - Declutter and Donate
Action: Declutter your home by gathering items in good condition to donate to a local shelter or charity.
Submission: Upload an image of the donated items or the receipt from the donation center.
Tracking and Incentives
This challenge can be easily managed through platforms like ChallengeRunner. Participants log their activities and provide the necessary submissions for verification. Each completed activity earns one point, and additional recognition could be awarded to those who complete all five.
How To
As of 2024, ChallengeRunner can pull in meditation minutes from most of the trackers that it automatically syncs with. You can use this to build your meditation and mindfulness challenge:
- Log into ChallengeRunner.com with your admin ID and password.
- Click the Create Challenge button.
- Select the Generate a Holiday Giving Challenge option and click Next.
- Give your new challenge a name and click Next.
- Update the challenge description and click Next (This can also be done after the challenge has been created).
- Select the start and end dates and click Finish.
Why Giving Matters
The benefits of giving extend far beyond the holiday season. According to Health Psychology, the simple act of helping others can reduce mortality risk and promote long-term happiness. Participating in a giving-focused challenge not only enriches the lives of others but also fosters gratitude and resilience in those who give.
This holiday season, challenge your team, community, or friends to embrace the spirit of giving. Together, you can create a ripple effect of positivity while enhancing your own health and well-being. Let’s make this holiday one of kindness, connection, and growth!
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