Every team grows in stages…some growth is just getting started. Other teams are working through tension. Some are performing at a high level but may be close to burnout. Wherever your team is right now, your wellness approach should meet them there.
At Mile High Fitness & Wellness, we help companies align their wellness programs with the actual needs of their people. That means no one-size-fits-all plan.
Instead, we focus on matching services to the current stage of your team so your investment actually supports their performance, mindset, and health.
Here’s how to approach each team growth stage with a wellness strategy that makes sense.
1) Forming: Focus on Comfort and Connection
This stage sees a lot of introductions. People are polite and cautious. Roles are unclear, and no one wants to step on toes. It’s not that the team isn’t capable, they just don’t know each other yet.
Wellness at this point should lower pressure and help people feel safe in the environment.
What helps:
- Low-intensity group workouts to break the ice
- Brief movement breaks during onboarding or training
- Open invitations to virtual wellness resources without expectations
A simple stretch session or casual walking break can reduce first-week tension and start building healthy team habits early.
2) Storming: Help People Manage Stress and Discomfort
This is when real work begins and real differences surface. Team members may disagree on priorities or communication styles. Conflict is common and often uncomfortable.
Wellness becomes critical here, not just for stress relief but also for helping people stay grounded and respectful under pressure.
What helps:
- Mindfulness and breathwork sessions
- Stress management workshops with real takeaways
- Team-building challenges that focus on support, not competition
According to the American Institute of Stress, about 83 percent of workers in the U.S. report work-related stress.
Creating space to release that tension makes it easier to keep projects moving and relationships intact.
3) Norming: Reinforce the Good Habits
Now the team is starting to find its rhythm. People understand their roles and trust is growing. This is a great time to reinforce group routines and build momentum.
Wellness should focus on consistency and shared accountability.
What helps:
- Standing wellness sessions each week (on-site or virtual)
- Group fitness or health challenges tied to team goals
- Educational sessions on energy, sleep, or healthy routines
Research from Harvard Business Review shows that shared team rituals build resilience. Creating wellness rituals is one of the simplest ways to help a good team become a great one.
4) Performing: Sustain Energy and Avoid Burnout
At this stage, the team is highly effective. They’re solving problems, hitting deadlines, and pushing each other to do better. But high output can lead to exhaustion if there’s no time to recover.
Wellness here should support performance while protecting people’s energy long term.
What helps:
- Personalized coaching for fitness, sleep, or stress
- On-demand wellness content to fit different schedules
- Ergonomic movement sessions to support focus and mobility
According to Gallup, burned-out employees are 63 percent more likely to take a sick day and over twice as likely to look for a new job.
The solution isn’t to slow down the work, it’s to give teams a better way to recover from it.
Wellness Strategy as the Team Changes
A team won’t stay in one of the growth stages forever. Someone gets promoted. A new hire joins. A major project wraps. These shifts matter. Your wellness program should be flexible enough to evolve along with the team.
Best practices include:
- Quarterly wellness check-ins with staff or leadership
- Feedback-driven updates to your program
- A mix of live and on-demand options that meet people where they are
Mile High Fitness & Wellness builds programs that adapt. Whether your team is thriving or struggling, we help you choose the right mix of support at the right time.
When to Bring in Extra Help
If your wellness efforts feel flat, if team morale is low, or if people just aren’t showing up to the programs you offer, it may be time to reassess. Outside support can bring in new energy, real expertise, and a plan that actually works.
Our team helps organizations reconnect with their people through wellness that feels personal and useful. Whether it’s one session or a full calendar of support, we’ll help you reset and move forward.
Conclusion
Matching your wellness strategy to the team growth stages is in can completely change how people respond. When you offer the right kind of support at the right time, your team feels seen. They stay healthier, work smarter, and feel more connected at every level.
Want to design a program that fits your team? Let’s build something that works today and keeps working tomorrow.
