TAKING CARE OF YOU WELLNESS FOR THE NEW YEAR

It’s no secret that mental health, fitness and overall wellness go hand-in-hand, but, taking care of one doesn’t mean taking care of the other. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. live with a mental health issue — a statistic that has doubled in recent years due to the pandemic. It can be challenging to practice healthy mental and physical health strategies. Which is why we asked FSS instructors and personal trainers how they handle mental and physical health while promoting overall wellness, not only for themselves but their clients.

“The most important characteristic a person needs to achieve their wellness goals is consistency — being motivated to get that workout in.’’ said Rachel Harris, a personal trainer at the Samurai Fitness Center. The first step in starting a healthy habit is changing your mindset and adapting the discipline needed to make your changes habits. Wellness is motivating yourself to move your body and make healthier choices.

Crissy Saalborn, a yoga instructor at the Fitness Center understands that mental and physical health have an immediate connection. “The importance of movement in the body — whether it’s walking, biking or swimming — It’ll have a positive impact on your mental health.” Taking care of your mental and physical health can seem scary and overwhelming but setting small, attainable goals makes it easier to create a routine and gain confidence to keep going on your journey.

“Take it day by day, give yourself grace and go easy on yourself — it takes 14 days to make a new habit and even longer to see changes when starting that habit” said Rachael Weist PT, DPT., a fitness instructor at the Natatorium. It’s important to understand when making any lifestyle changes that failure often comes before success. So whether you’re making steps to better your mental health or starting physical activity, know that the journey is just as important as the destination.

For more information on fitness classes or personal trainers visit YokotaFSS.com or contact the Samurai Fitness Center at 2258889 or Natatorium at 225-6133.