Breath of Fresh Air

The list of benefits of a simple walk—lowered stress, improved mood, better sleep, decreased risk of numerous health issues—seems to grow every day, especially in a world that has become more sedentary and technology-focused. Take that walk outdoors, surrounded by nature, and that list grows exponentially.

Studies are increasingly showing that putting the screens down and getting outside has real, measurable benefits. Physically, walking improves your cardiovascular health and overall strength, lowering your risk for diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. Mentally, it improves your cognition, increases endorphins and energy levels, and decreases anxiety and depression.

Thanks to the Wellness Walking Path at the Sub-Zero Group, Inc. headquarters near Madison, Wisconsin, employees can experience the joys of strolling in nature during the workday.

“The idea started during COVID of just getting outside and taking care of yourself,” says Samantha Bakke Annen, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The Living Kitchen, who led the team that implemented the walking path program. "We wanted our employees to prioritize their health above everything else, and because we’re a manufacturing company, we still had to physically be at the office during the pandemic.”

A plot of land that the Sub-Zero Group already owned became the perfect retreat from the office setting to refresh employees’ bodies and minds. The ¾-mile walking trail sits on the edge of farmland, nestled in nature. Along the way, there are interactive stops with scannable QR codes that allow walkers to find out more about the surrounding habitats, plus the latest happenings at the company.

The Wellness Walking Path has been embraced wholeheartedly by employees. Whether they utilize it on their own for an afternoon pick-me-up or as the setting for meeting with teammates, the path has become a regular part of the workday at the company.

“Each department is finding a unique way to utilize the path, whether it's team bonding, one-on-ones, or just going out with a friend during lunch,” says Bakke Annen. “We’ve started doing company wellness challenges—like who can walk the most miles around the path during one month—and we’ve gotten employees engaged in ways to increase the trail's benefits, too.”

Birdhouses and bird feeders built by an employee’s family member are just one example of an employee-led addition to the path, helping to further cultivate the habitat for local wildlife while showcasing the talent of a local community member.

Ultimately the goal of the Wellness Walking Path is simple: to provide an outlet to better employee well-being. The ability to get outside in fresh air, combined with being immersed in a natural setting, allows employees to tap into all the benefits associated with outdoor exercise without having to leave the corporate campus.

“We care a lot about our employees,” says Bakke Annen. “The Wellness Walking Path is another way to get employees moving and feeling good about coming into work every day.”