Team days in natural surroundings offer companies a unique opportunity to strengthen team spirit and develop operations in an inspiring environment. Quality recreational days for staff are an investment that pays for itself through improved workplace well-being and more effective collaboration. A luxurious villa in natural tranquility provides the perfect balance between work and relaxation, enabling both efficient meetings and memorable experiences. Finnish nature with its lake landscapes and forest paths serves as a refreshing counterbalance to everyday office life.
Why organize team days in nature?
The natural environment has a significant impact on a team’s creativity and problem-solving abilities. Research shows that even short periods spent in nature reduce stress hormone levels and improve concentration. When a team gathers in a villa surrounded by nature, thoughts detach from office routines and space emerges for new ideas.
A nature-centric environment also promotes informal interaction between team members. Meeting room hierarchies fade when conversations take place around a campfire or during shared activities. This encourages quieter team members to voice their perspectives, comprehensively improving team communication.
Nature’s health benefits directly reflect on the productivity of team days. Fresh air, natural sounds, and landscapes reduce cognitive load and improve thinking quality. This manifests as enhanced decision-making ability and more innovative solutions. Additionally, shared nature experiences build internal trust and a sense of belonging within the team in ways that aren’t possible in office spaces. Want to offer your team an unforgettable experience in nature? Explore Premium Resorts’ villa booking calendar and find the perfect environment for your next team day.
How to plan successful team days?
Balance is key in planning successful team days. Combine work, recreation, and leisure in appropriate proportions so the team can both achieve results and have time to relax.
Schedule team days loosely and consider energy levels. Place the most intensive work periods in the morning when concentration is at its peak. Afternoons work better for lighter discussions and activities. Don’t pack the program too full—it’s important to leave room for spontaneous conversations and brainstorming moments, as these often produce the best insights.
Consider the different needs and preferences of participants. Map out in advance any dietary requirements, mobility restrictions, and activity preferences. Offer options so everyone can find suitable activities. Recreational days for staff work best when the program is diverse but not compulsory—give people the opportunity to rest and enjoy the environment at their own pace.
What activities can you include in team days?
Nature activities form an experiential foundation for successful team days. Depending on the season, you can organize guided forest hikes, canoeing, snowshoeing, or ice fishing. These activities offer not only recreation but also a natural environment for developing teamwork skills. Activities that require everyone’s contribution are particularly effective at strengthening team spirit.
Finnish sauna culture offers a unique way to relax and deepen relationships within the team. A traditional wood-heated sauna by a lake, possibly combined with ice swimming or a refreshing dip, is an unforgettable experience for many international colleagues. Informal conversations in the sauna can be valuable moments for team dynamics.
Creative problem-solving can be practiced through various teamwork exercises. Group tasks such as escape room-type puzzles, cooking together, or building with natural materials highlight different strengths among team members. Cooking workshops are especially popular as they pleasantly combine collaboration with a concrete outcome—a delicious meal the team enjoys together. In the evenings, the program can include gathering around a campfire for storytelling or music, creating memories and strengthening the sense of belonging.
How to utilize team days for effective strategy work?
A new environment helps view business challenges from a fresh perspective. When a team breaks away from office routines and familiar thinking patterns, strategy work gains new dynamics. Take advantage of this by organizing creative workshops where problems are approached from unconventional angles—for example, drawing inspiration from nature.
Effective strategy work and recreation are not mutually exclusive but, at their best, complementary elements. Structure work sessions so that more intensive periods are interspersed with activities that give the brain time to process the matters discussed. For example, after a morning strategy session, a shared lunch and walking tour can lead to important insights that can be refined in an afternoon workshop.
Efficiently document ideas and decisions generated during team days. Designate someone responsible for taking notes, or use digital tools for collaborative documentation. At the end of team days, it’s important to compile a clear action plan ensuring that thoughts born in an inspiring environment transfer to everyday practice. This ensures the benefits of team days extend far into the future.
What practical arrangements should be considered?
When selecting accommodation, the key is suitability for both work and recreation. Ensure the villa has sufficient sleeping space, functional meeting facilities with technical capabilities, and comfortable common areas. Also consider distance: the location should be within reasonable travel time so valuable hours aren’t wasted on commuting.
Transportation should be arranged centrally. Shared bus transportation or organized carpooling strengthens team spirit during the journey and is an ecologically sensible option. If the villa is located in an area with difficult access, investigate in advance the possibilities for taxi services or other local transportation solutions.
Meals are an essential part of successful team days. Ensure there’s enough quality food available that accommodates special diets. There are several options: full catering service, cooking together as a team, or utilizing local restaurants. Also remember sufficient snacks during work sessions—a hungry team is not a creative team.
Verify technology functionality in advance. Check internet speed and reliability as well as available AV equipment. Bring a backup plan—such as mobile internet and a portable projector—in case of technical problems. Also consider special needs, such as accessibility and allergies, so each team member can fully participate. Book the perfect location for your team from Premium Resorts’ selection and ensure practical arrangements proceed smoothly.
Carefully planned team days in nature offer your company an opportunity to break away from routine and find new energy for collaborative work. Premium Resorts’ villas provide excellent settings for memorable staff recreational days throughout the year. Quality accommodation, modern amenities, and natural tranquility combine in our locations in a way that supports both efficient work and genuine relaxation. Let your team experience a memorable break from everyday life and see how it positively reflects on work results far into the future. Explore Premium Resorts’ locations and make a reservation today.
