Empowering Health in the New Year: How Incentives Turn Intentions Into Action

Every new year brings renewed motivation to live healthier, but motivation alone rarely lasts. Research shows that while nearly 48% of adults set wellness goals in January, only around 20% stay on track by mid-year. For many, it’s not the lack of good intentions but the absence of tangible support and encouragement that makes the difference.

That’s where health and wellness incentives come in. By rewarding progress rather than perfection, organizations can help employees and program members take meaningful steps toward better health—whether through biometric screenings, fitness challenges, or preventive care participation. Here's how:

1. Incentivize Preventive Screenings

Preventive care often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But when organizations offer gift card rewards for completing annual checkups, biometric screenings, or flu shots, participation rates soar.

A small reward—like a $10 or $25 digital gift card—can be enough to nudge action. Through the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform, program administrators can easily deliver and track these incentives in bulk, motivating healthier choices at scale.

2. Reward Wellness Challenges

From “10K Steps a Day” to “Drink More Water,” team wellness challenges encourage healthy competition and accountability. Adding a gift card prize for top performers or consistent participants boosts engagement while fostering community.

Whether participants choose a grocery card to stock up on healthy foods or a retailer card for new workout gear, rewards help them personalize their wellness journey.

3. Encourage Stress Management and Mindfulness

Mental well-being is health, too. Encourage employees to prioritize rest, mindfulness, or therapy participation by offering rewards for completing meditation sessions, attending wellness webinars, or taking mental health days.

Through flexible reward delivery options—digital, physical, or even restricted-spend gift cards—organizations can tailor incentives to support holistic well-being.

4. Support Healthy Habits Year-Round

Wellness isn’t a January project—it’s a long game. Organizations that provide ongoing recognition for consistent habits (like walking meetings, hydration tracking, or healthy meal prep) see stronger program engagement and better outcomes.

Gift card incentives can be used to celebrate milestones throughout the year, turning one-time resolutions into sustainable lifestyle changes.

5. Celebrate Milestones and Success Stories

Recognition drives retention—of both people and habits. Celebrating an employee who reached their personal wellness goal or completed a smoking cessation program shows others that their efforts matter.

By pairing recognition with a meaningful, flexible reward, organizations reinforce a culture of health and appreciation. The Engage2Reward Platform makes it simple to automate these moments across teams and programs.

Empowering Health Through Incentives

Healthy living doesn’t happen by accident; it’s a journey powered by encouragement and access. With the right structure and support, organizations can help their people turn intentions into actions that last.

Powered by GiftCard Partners, the Engage2Reward Platform helps employers, health programs, and community organizations deliver health incentives that make a measurable impact—flexible, fast, and easy.

Schedule a call with our team and discover how simple it can be to motivate better health outcomes through gift card incentives.