Sometimes, you just have to relax

From foosball tournaments to chili cookouts to a cappella contests, companies across Massachusetts have found creative ways to come together during difficult times.

“Social support is the greatest predictor of success during a time of challenge - more than IQ, number of years of experience, resources, and education,’’ said Shawn Achor, a researcher at Harvard University and a psychology teacher who consults Fortune 500 companies.

“Many are losing their top talent because those individuals don’t enjoy and find meaning in their work,’’ he said. “The lesson learned is that if you want to keep top talent, you must invest in the positive mindset of your employees.’’

Here are some organizations that really know how.

E-Dialog: Earlier this spring, managers at e-Dialog decided they needed to inject a little more fun into the workplace. So the software marketing firm began hosting bingo games to celebrate the first day of spring, new product launches, or simply to shake up the work week.

Even senior executives and workers in remote offices in London and elsewhere get in on the action. Employees typically play three games, and winners receive perks like $50 American Express cards or days off.

“Our days can be very stressful at home and at work, and when we play bingo, our employees can laugh a little and enjoy a little fun competition,’’ said Kelly Beaupre, director of human resources for e-Dialog. “It is a great game that can connect all of our offices. The thing I like best about bingo is it starts lots of conversations and new employees can make friends faster and become acclimated to e-Dialog’s culture and employees. Oh . . . and it rocks when you hear someone holler ‘Bingo!’ ’’

Baystate Financial: There’s nothing like $2 bills and riddles to help employees bond. Baystate Financial Services last year launched a scavenger hunt as a team-building tool to bring staff together from its various offices - with some workers meeting each other for the first time.

The Boston financial firm hired Boston Adventures to organize the scavenger hunt during the week so the staff could spend a fun day out of the office and still be compensated. The teams - including top executives - had to search the Back Bay for pictures of famous landmarks, uncover clues, do puzzles, and answer riddles to find the items on their list, such as a $2 bill or Boston baked beans, and uncover a hidden vault in a local building.

“The scavenger hunt definitely helps build morale, improves communication skills, and creates a positive, competitive atmosphere, and forms new friendships for all involved,’’ said Jill Tower, Baystate’s marketing director. “There is a reception at a local bar at the end of the hunt where the winning team is awarded a trophy and bragging rights.’’

EnerNOC: Despite the tough times, energy technology company EnerNOC has stood by one of its favorite annual traditions: Battle of the Bands. The competition was first launched in 2005, when EnerNOC’s chief executive, Tim Healy, allowed a band of employees - EneROCK - to play at the holiday party, where it was challenged by another band, the Preston City Gang. There has been a battle every year since, with employees belting out tunes from the likes of Nirvana, Heart, the Beatles, and Guns N’ Roses.

The battle has become the highlight of the party, and this year’s festivities will be at the House of Blues. Each competing band plays a 20-minute set. Employees and their guests vote by dropping a guitar pick in the box of their favorite ensemble. The winning band receives a donation to the charity of its choice.

“The Battle of the Bands is just one example of the many programs that EnerNOC sponsors to support people’s passions and incorporate them into the EnerNOC culture,’’ said Sarah McAu ley, senior communications manager for EnerNOC. “It’s also a great, fun way to see people we work with in a different context.’’

Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com.