In today’s IT world, most of us spend endless hours in front of screens – debugging, testing, sitting through stakeholder calls, or ironing out design requirements. While the work is exciting, the side effects often go unnoticed: stiff backs, tired eyes, and that heavy mental fatigue that creeps in after long days.
At Hamon, I realized that pushing harder wasn’t the answer. What we really needed was a way to recharge – not just individually, but together as a team. That’s when the idea of bringing sports and games into our work culture started to take shape.
The First Step: Breathing Sessions
I didn’t begin with something big. Instead, I thought, why not start small? So, I invited a few teammates to join me for short breathing sessions at the office.
To my surprise, people enjoyed it! Some even told me they felt lighter and more energized afterward. That small success gave me the confidence to experiment further – maybe we could try something more engaging.
Sports Inside the Workplace
After the breathing sessions went well, I felt encouraged to try something bigger. At Hamon, new ideas are welcomed, so I reached out to higher management and pitched the idea of introducing sports activities inside the office.
We started small – light sports sessions once a week that everyone could join without much disruption. Even these short bursts of activity brought noticeable energy and laughter into the workplace.
Of course, there were some limitations – not everyone could join every week because of meetings or workload – but it was a great start, and the team really enjoyed the change of pace.
Beyond the Office Walls
To solve the participation challenge, our HR team came up with a more practical solution: organize one outdoor sports event every month. Along with that, we also decided to host one indoor game each month and set aside a small fund for refreshments and event arrangements.
I was given the responsibility to drive this initiative, and for the past nine months, we’ve consistently hosted two sports-related events every month.
From outdoor games like Cricket, Football, Badminton, and Pickleball to indoor games like Carrom, Dumb Charades, and Dart Board, these sessions have given us energy, memories, and stronger bonds. By the end of the year, we crown a winning team – a moment everyone looks forward to with excitement.
What Our Team Says
Here’s what some of our colleagues feel about this initiative:
- QA Engineer: “Sports day is the one event I look forward to every month. It helps me disconnect from code and reconnect with my teammates.”
- UI/UX Designer: “I never thought I’d enjoy badminton this much! It keeps me active and also improves how I collaborate at work.”
- Backend Developer: “The outdoor games remind me of my college days. They break the monotony and give me fresh energy for my projects.”
- HR: “From an HR perspective, these sessions are gold. We’ve seen improved morale, fewer complaints about stress, and better team bonding.”
- Front-End Developer: “What I love is how everyone – juniors, seniors, managers – plays as one team. Hierarchies disappear on the field.”
- Full-stack developer: “The refreshments after sports are the best part – they spark conversations on many topics and help us build deeper bonds.”
Why It Matters
Sports and games are not just about physical fitness. For software professionals, they bring:
- Mental clarity after hours of screen time.
- Team bonding outside of office hierarchies.
- Stress relief through fun and movement.
- Creativity boosts, as an active body supports an active mind.
Final Thoughts
Work will always demand our time, but balance is what sustains us in the long run. At Hamon, our monthly sports and games have become more than just activities – they’ve become a culture of wellness and connection.
If you’re a software professional or part of an IT team, I strongly encourage you to pick up a sport, organize a game, or just move more. The results will surprise you.
2025 Hamon Technologies Inc