According to WHO we all need a certain amount of physical activity each week to stay healthy (as if we needed a source for that!). Unfortunately, many people struggle to find time for exercise outside of work due to busy schedules and family life. This leads to poor health, stress, and decreased quality of life. 

So why not make exercise a part of the workday? Feeling better, more energized, and capable benefits both the individual and the workplace! 

How does it work?

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 AM to 12 PM, we stop what we're doing and head out for wellness time. Some run, others walk, and some play football. During mushroom season, picking chanterelles is a popular choice! There are no strict rules—you're free to do whatever you want, either solo or in a group, focusing on well-being rather than performance. 

The only rule? No booked meetings or staying at your desk during wellness hour! 

Does it get results?

Absolutely! Our scheduled and "mandatory" wellness initiative has been a huge success. Even though it's a significant investment for the company to allocate three hours per employee each week, we've seen it result in happy and efficient team members. Our employee surveys show that the program is extremely popular, and most believe that it not only helps balance life but also makes them better at their jobs. 

Many also rate wellness time as a key factor in choosing where to work, and we know it's one of the reasons we always have a lot of applicants when hiring. 

– It's not an opinion that training makes you feel better while doing a better job. It's a fact. Of course, we want our staff to feel as good as possible, and if it can at the same time make us create more value for the company, it is a fantastic combination, says Lhina Segerbo, people and culture manager at Icebug.

It doesn't stop here!

We're not the biggest company in the world, so we're inviting others to join us. At certain times, we invite seniors to join us for walks, and anyone who wants can come along for a run (just get in touch beforehand!). We have big plans to encourage more companies and organizations to see the benefits of what we’ve done and follow suit. We see it as a win-win if paid wellness time becomes a new standard! 

Want to learn more or maybe get your company involved in the growing wellness movement? Reach out, and we’d love to share how we did it! 

We use our business to do good

At Icebug, we’re committed to making better shoes that help you get out every day – no matter the conditions. Also, we have decided to change our industry by taking responsibility for our footprint. Our goal is to make footwear with great durability, low CO2 emissions and respect for people and planet. Part of the money that you invest in us, we give back to the planet by donating to organizations that, for instance, work to preserve old-growth forests.