HFAC's Whole Person Approach. Care for Your Mind. Let Your Body Follow.
Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your mind feels better so, too, will your body. Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club (HFAC) promotes a whole person approach to wellness . With the current challenges we are all facing, consider strengthening your mental health and see what types of long-term benefits ensue.
- Deep breathing exercises – Count backwards from 10, breathing low and slow. Try it before a meeting, in the car, or before you greet your kids or partner after a long day. This is also a great practice to clear the mind and focus before starting any self-care routine.
- Go for a stroll – Unplug and let your mind wander while walking for 30 minutes in a natural or urban environment. Walking is found to reduce stress hormone levels and improve mood.
- Go to bed 30 minutes earlier – Getting enough sleep is a great way to invest in mental acuity and can improve your mood, memory, and immune system as well! Just a few more reasons to pull on your coziest jammies a little earlier!
- Yoga – Taking twice-weekly yoga classes can help calm the mind and body, also decreasing chronic stress. Any age, any fitness level, and any personality type can benefit. HFAC offers several yoga classes every week, indoors, outdoors and virtually. Explore HFAC’s Group Exercise schedule and see what speaks to you.
- Call a friend – Having a strong social support system is linked to reduced risk of depression and high blood pressure. HFAC is an incredible community for finding friendly people who share an interest inself-care. If you would like some introductions, online or in person, do not hesitate to reach out to our Member Relationship Manager, Julie Segel (link to julies@hfac.com)
- Listen to your favorite music – In the car, in your home, in the shower … bonus points if you sing along. Looking for a particular mood? Ask an HFAC Instructor their favorite songs for anything from a hardcore workout to yoga bliss.
- Compliment someone – Put a little good karma into the world. Plus, this kind of “reward” activates similar parts of the brain whether it happens to you or someone else.
- Do something – anything – outside – Walk the dog or take an outdoor exercise class to soak up some sun. Eat a meal outside or simply look at the moon and stars before bed.
- Write down something good that happened today – Even if you have just had the worst day, jot down what you need in this moment and what you are grateful for as well.
