If you’ve been putting off living a healthier lifestyle because life or lack of motivation get in the way, then now is the time to refocus. Being in the midst of a pandemic, there is no better time to practice good wellness in your life.
Wellness is a broad area as it covers so many different things, including, physical, emotional, environmental, spiritual, financial, social, creative, occupational, and intellectual. What can you do in each one of these categories to better your life? It’s all about baby steps.
Here are some basic examples from each category:
Physical: Eat at least one fruit and vegetable every day; take a walk around the block daily.
Emotional: Practice positive self-talk or acts of kindness frequently.
Environmental: Recycle plastic bottles you use at home or pick up trash.
Spiritual: Say a prayer or practice meditation daily.
Financial: Cut back on eating out each week or open a savings account.
Social: Contact a friend about getting together to go for a walk in the park or schedule a Zoom meeting with some friends.
Creative: Spend time coloring or playing an instrument.
Occupational: Learn to take work breaks or invite a coworker out to lunch.
Intellectual: Read a book or do a crossword puzzle.
Making a habit of doing at least one thing from each category can have a major impact on your life. Remember, habits will either make or break us. We become what we repeatedly do! The key to develop these new habits is to do them even when you don’t feel like it.
Getting in a full-body workout several days a week while eating a plant-based diet and having a large circle of friends is not how everyone starts out. I will be the first to admit that I’ve had my share of health issues, yo-yo weight, and mental health problems. Many people think that it comes easy to those of us who work in the wellness industry. There’s nothing further from the truth. Every day is a battle (especially during this pandemic), but I’ve also learned to love myself enough to want to practice self-care on a daily basis. It makes me feel good, so, therefore, I want more of it.
I’m not here to judge anyone. Everyone is on their own journey and has to take different steps to get to where they want to go. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a lot of patience, perseverance, and self-love to get there. I’m here to guide you and give you the tools you need to succeed, but it’s up to you on when you get there.
I have faith in you and know you can do it. Always reach out if you have questions or need help. Stay safe and healthy everyone!
I developed a passion for wellness after I experienced many years of health issues. Taking care of myself through exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress, is what led me to a career in wellness. I decided I wanted to help others learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
I have been the Wellness Director at Ivy Tech since 2013. I previously worked as a Health Advocate and Personal Trainer at St. Vincent Healthy Lives and prior to that was a Fitness Tech for Ivy Tech and personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Dunigan YMCA. I also taught classes in senior living centers and conducted private personal training sessions for people of all ages.
I have two Bachelor’s degrees from USI in Communications and German. I am a certified Health & Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches and received my personal training certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. I am also Reiki Level II certified and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine® and the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. I also have a background in mental health and certified in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid and completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and I'm a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor. In December 2024, I graduated with a Master of Education in Student Learning and Wellbeing at the University of Missouri.
When I'm not exercising, I'm busy volunteering for several organizations including St. Vincent’s No One Dies Alone program. In 2011, I ran in the Marathon for the Cure in Washington, D.C. and raised over $6,200 towards breast cancer research. My mother, who passed away from breast cancer, was my inspiration for doing this. I also competed in several triathlons and love to travel and spend time with my 16-year old daughter, my friends, and my dog and three cats. I love animals and started a pet therapy program at Ivy Tech called Paws ’N Relax to help students manage stress and anxiety during final exams.
At Ivy Tech, we are more than just a Fitness Center. We believe in treating the body as a whole and working on body, mind, and spirit. We have programs that focus on the nine area of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, creative, environmental, and occupational. We offer a Relaxation Lounge and emWavePro Biofeedback program to help manage anxiety. Stress is a contributor to many health issues and we want to make sure you have tools to manage it better. We want to help you live a long, happy, and healthy life.
Update: In the Spring of 2023, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis which is a rare auto-immune disorder that causes rashes and attacks the muscles. I have developed severe muscle atrophy, pain, and weakness. I am still exercising, eating healthy, and managing stress now more than ever. There is no known cause for this condition but it is treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. I am just taking it one day at a time and continuing to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.
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