Hey! We're Relay.

Mel and Becca have dedicated their careers to bringing people in the corporate world together through meaningful shared experiences. During the Spring of 2020 as most companies went virtual, they joined forces so they could ensure that distance did not mean disconnection.

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In a world of overwhelming stress and isolation, play offered camaraderie, laughter, and support. Interactions between employees that often felt transactional and dry became personal and real. People were finally seeing each other. 

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While studies have shown considerable evidence around the importance of play in child development, there is also growing research around the importance of play for adults. 

 

“Beyond games, play in general has workplace benefits, with evidence that the introduction of play episodes can reduce negative emotions and stress, increase group cohesion, and improve work quality, commitment and overall performance.”

(Guitard et al., 2005) 

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According to Lynn Barnett, Profession of Recreation, Sports, and Tourism

at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,  

“At work, play has been found to speed up learning, enhance productivity and

increase job satisfaction.” 

 

Additionally,

“Play’s ability to introduce novelty, to foster positive emotions and social bonding, and to defuse stressful situations, could all be of benefit in personal relationships"

(Van Vleet & Feeney, 2015).

 

How can companies invest in the reconnection of their employees?

 

“By saying yes to play, you can alleviate stress and hit the reset button.”

says John Miles, author of  “The Importance of Play as an Adult.” 

“...the mere act of enjoying your ‘playtime’ releases endorphins, giving us that ‘natural high’ feeling. Perfect for getting yourself out of a rut and boosting your overall well-being.”

 

Companies have the opportunity to set new standards for connection in workplace culture.

Commitment to employee well being and joy can help prove a commitment to  overall

satisfaction and prevent turnover. 

 

“To benefit most from the rejuvenating benefits of play, we need to incorporate it into our everyday lives, “not just wait for that two-week vacation every year.”

- psychiatrist Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play in Carmel Valley, Calif.

 

In a global economy where virtual work is trending toward the norm,

Relay Experiences is here to keep your teams connected.

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