What is wellness? According to dictionary.com it’s a noun: “the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.” The root word of wellness, “well,” meaning: “in good health.”
While “wellness,” is surely important, it is important to also remember that “wellness,” is different from “health care,” or “mental health care.” The term “wellness,” when used appropriately should imply an individual and/or holistic approach to an individual’s overall quality of life. This may focus on physical (think exercise & nutrition), emotional, social, and spiritual “well-being,” or for some people who are very “wellness minded,” they may have balanced their lifestyles to truly encompass total mind-body wellness. Whereas healthcare is primarily concerned with the medical/clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness(es) through medical interventions and mental health specifically addresses psychological well-being of individuals. While all three are interconnected, important and essential for a healthy lifestyle, they serve distinct roles that should not be considered interchangeable.
North Country Hospital (NCH) was the first in the state to officially recognize and take action on “wellness,” in addition to healthcare! Making The Wellness Center, the first and longest standing “wellness,” institution in our state. It’s true, in 1982 North Country Hospital was the very first hospital to open a “Wellness” Center or gym of any kind. According to the Global Health and Fitness Association (IHRSA), “81% of health and fitness studios fail within their first year,” but NCH’s genuine and enthusiastic approach has beaten all the odds time and time again. Why? Because NCH put Wellness where it works! Out with the community!
The Wellness Center eventually made it’s homebase on the Crawford Farm Road in the early 2000’s. Still, keeping true to its roots, The Wellness Center has many offsite locations and events, spreading “wellness,” as far as it can reach. Why? Because wellness is about offering people CHOICES! On the contrary, wellness is not simply about following trends or engaging in superficial activities without understanding their deeper requirements and repercussions. If just showing up to a fitness class was a one-size-fits-all solution; we’d all be at the top of our wellness game. What works for one person may not work for another. Wellness shouldn’t be seen as or confused with a marketing tool or term. Wellness is not about consumerism, and with a little research you can see the term “wellness,” may be misused by those lacking true credentials and credibility. However, for wellness to work for you, you have to make the best choices for you and your goals, then commit to making them happen! It takes effort.
The Wellness Center has grown to offer more than 1,300 classes a year in several locations! Keeping this approach has welcomed thousands of people to choose what they want to invest their time in to meet their wellness goals. In addition to the added sense of security a hospital run Wellness Center can offer such as: safe and clean spaces, the highest quality equipment, as well as the assurance that their beloved “Wellness,” isn’t going anywhere. Wellness means taking action towards your own goals, and since everyone has different goals, they need variety and accountability! With over 20,000 classes having been shared in the last 42 years, The Wellness Center and NCH know they have given the community many tools to choose WELL.
August is recognized as National Wellness Month, which is a reminder to us all to take advantage of our choices to reinvigorate or start something new towards our own wellness. Yes, this means healthier habits and self-care practices. This observance serves as an important reminder for individuals to prioritize their wellness amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. We know that focusing on wellness during this month can help to set up the rest of the year to be more fulfilling by engaging in discussions about mental health, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. If we want to end the year healthier than we started, we must choose better now, we are in the homestretch!
The Wellness Center classes focus on healthier lifestyle practices through the classes you commit to choosing. We know that everyone has options, but we also know that when you commit, the results are there. We believe that one season of classes, if you commit to the whole session, can increase your personal wellness. We believe it because we’ve seen it! That’s why we’ve been winning awards and thriving in our community for decades. But we also know we can only create the space and make the offer. It’s the individuals and their choices that choose the outcomes. That’s what wellness is, individual choices to improve…or not. Anyone can choose wellness whether at The Wellness Center or not, and you can make the commitment to yourself and choices even now! One action at a time.
August reminds us how lucky we are to have wellness (and The Wellness Center) in our lives and communities, it also highlights the need for clarity around what wellness is. Perfect timing as we get ready to kick off the fall schedule on September 3rd. It will of course focus on what we’re good at and have made our tag line since our creation, you know, being “the meeting place for fun, health and fitness.” Whether you find your fun, health and fitness with us, out in nature or at another place, we hope you find it! August is about wellness! Let’s take advantage of what wellness really is!