Cultural Wellness Programs: How To Design Initiatives That Work In India, Not Just Imported From The West?

Many Indian workplaces have adopted wellness programs with enthusiasm. But there’s an important question we often forget to ask:

Are these programs designed for Indian employees, or are we just copying what worked in the West?

From yoga sessions on Zoom to journaling challenges and sleep trackers, most workplace wellness efforts in India closely follow Western, especially Silicon Valley, trends. While many of these ideas are generally helpful, they often don’t work in the same way in the Indian setting. Why? Because our culture, daily routines, family structures, and even communication styles are very different.

The result? Employees feel disconnected, unsure how to relate, and see wellness activities as a chore instead of a support system.

It’s time for Indian companies to stop copying and start creating wellness programs that reflect our people, values, and realities.

What’s Wrong with Copy-Paste Wellness Programs?

1. They ignore how life in India works

Wellness apps and programs often assume that employees live in quiet homes, have flexible time, and enjoy privacy. But in India:

• Many people live in joint families with shared responsibilities.
• Women often manage both home and work, leaving little time for wellness "extras."
• Employees may not have access to quiet workspaces or private rooms at home.
• Long commutes, power cuts, and limited internet in some areas are common.

In such situations, Western wellness ideas can feel out of touch.

Also Check: Mistakes That Can Completely Mess Up Your Wellness Program

2. They use words people don’t understand or relate to

Terms like "burnout," "boundaries," or "emotional resilience" are common in the West. But many Indian employees may feel these terms are too technical or not relevant. They may express stress through physical symptoms like:

• Headache
• Body pain
• Feeling low or “off”

So when wellness programs talk in unfamiliar terms, employees don’t connect with the message, and may even avoid the program altogether.

3. They focus on tracking and numbers, not people

Western programs often reward how many steps you walk or how many hours you sleep. But India’s corporate culture still rewards overworking and staying “visible” online. Simply asking people to “log off early” or “meditate daily” doesn’t help much if:

• Their managers don’t do the same
• Their workplace still praises late-night work
• They’re scared to say they’re struggling

Must Check: The Hidden Signs Of A Short-Lived Wellness Program

What Should an India-Specific Wellness Program Look Like?

A good wellness plan in India should be realistic, inclusive, and culturally connected. Here’s how to do that:

1. Speak in a way people understand

• Use local languages and terms people hear in daily life.
• Instead of “mental health,” say “mann ki shanti” or “tanav se rahat.”
• Refer to Indian stories or characters who deal with stress and emotions, like Arjuna’s self-doubt in the Mahabharata.
• When the language feels familiar, people feel more comfortable participating.

2. Include family and community

• In India, well-being is a shared experience, not just personal.
• Invite spouses, children, or parents to certain sessions like financial literacy, nutrition, or mental health education.
• Run family-friendly wellness challenges, like cooking healthy meals together or collective digital detox hours.
• Plan festive campaigns around local holidays and traditions to build joy and participation.

3. Address office power dynamics and social taboos

• Wellness won't work if only junior employees attend. It must include everyone.
• Ask leaders to join or share their own challenges with stress or health. It sets an example.
• Provide confidential helplines and mental health support where no one fears being judged.
• Use peer mentors or respected local figures to run sessions, not just clinical experts in suits.

This makes wellness feel safer, not forced.

4. Celebrate India’s own wellness traditions

• We don’t need to borrow mindfulness from the West—we’ve had it for centuries.
• Bring in Ayurveda, home remedies, folk dance, or traditional diets in a modern, practical way.
• Teach pranayama, chanting, or grounding rituals as daily tools for relaxation, not just as spiritual exercises.

These practices are affordable, rooted in Indian culture, and easy to adopt.

5. Don’t leave out rural or factory workers

Wellness should not only serve those sitting at desks in metros.

• Make sure all programs work on low-bandwidth mobile phones or offline.
• Offer health camps and group sessions in regional languages at worksites.
• Cover real needs: like menstrual hygiene, addiction support, or budget planning.

When wellness is truly inclusive, it earns trust and brings real change.

Also Read: Key HR Essentials for Inclusive Wellness Programs

Building the Right Ecosystem

Creating a successful Indian wellness program takes teamwork.

You need:

• Local mental health professionals
• Sociologists and regional experts
• Feedback from employees across job roles and locations
• HR teams who are ready to listen, adapt, and act

Together, they can create wellness experiences that truly help people feel better, not just look good on reports.

Final Thought: Don’t Just Translate Wellness. Transform It.

India doesn’t need wellness programs that look good on paper but feel foreign in practice. We need wellness that:

• Speaks our language
• Fits our lifestyles
• Respects our culture
• Includes every kind of employee

When wellness feels relevant and real, people actually show up for it—and benefit from it.

How Truworth Wellness Helps You Go Local, Not Generic?

At Truworth Wellness, we build wellness programs that are made for India, in India.

Here’s how:

• Regional language support for sessions and materials
• Culturally relevant content
• 24x7 counselling, preventive health checkups, and stress relief tools
• Inclusive programs—from factory floor to corner office

Let’s stop borrowing wellness. Let’s build it together.
👉 Discover culturally rooted wellness solutions tailored to your workplace with Truworth Wellness.