Mind/Body Wellness
The New JCC Community Wellness Initiative
Beyond the pandemic, there is also an epidemic of stress and burnout. The National Wellness Institute describes wellness as “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” The World Health Organization recently declared that mental health is one of its top priorities in the next decade. Wellness for the mind will be one of the most meaningful, powerful trends for decades to come.
In response, there are wellness retreats and spas, programs in schools and hospitals, wellness tourism; all with the goal of achieving mental, physical and emotional well-being. The Mandell JCC has also identified the importance of mind/body wellness and through the generosity of The Mandell/Braunstein Family, created the JCC Community Wellness initiative.
As we continue to manage and recover from the COVID Crisis, Sharon O’Brien, JCC Community Wellness Director says “I believe that we all need to be aware of all the aspects of our lives which help us feel well and function optimally - and then keep taking steps toward becoming wholly well. Checking in with your daily activity, your food consumption, your sleep habits, your relationships, and your emotional well-being – is so important to living your best life and reaching optimal wellness” As the first full year of COVID was winding down, the JCC’s efforts to work towards “Post-Covid recovery” and true health and wellness began to ramp up. Creating the JCC Community Wellness position and bringing Sharon on-board was one of those efforts. Sharon had worked with the JCC for years through our partnership with Trinity Health, and it was clear that she would be able to lead this new initiative.
Some of the new programs include more health education services with help from our community partners. Starling, ProHealth, Saint Francis Hospital, and Hartford Hospital bring a wealth of knowledge and medical expertise as we provide classes – either virtually or in-person – to help both members and the local community take better care of themselves.
Holistic Health Options, LLC is located onsite to add holistic services such as massage therapy, acupuncture, nutrition consultations, and naturopathic services to reduce pain, decrease anxiety, increase resilience and energy, feel better, and support physical and mental well-being. Recently, they have partnered with Cut Out Cancer who will help cover some of the costs of services for cancer patients during what is often a difficult time financially.
Plans are underway for a Medical & Wellness Advisory Board to help guide us in our choices for prevention and intervention programming, and to better understand the health needs of our community. In addition, the Board will assist us in educating the community about our new “Medical Referral Program” which will make it simple for physician practices to extend the continuum of care for an individual’s wellness. Whether a patient needs to initiate and exercise regimen, build strength before surgery, learn ways to reduce stress, fine tune their nutrition in order to decrease inflammation, reduce weight, or just feel better-the JCC will be able to support them.
Sharon will also to continue to engage the corporate community with programs like our previous “Workplace Wellness Week,” corporate wellness challenges and corporate fitness and wellness opportunities. As a community service organization, the JCC will continue to connect and engage with the greater community to ensure that integrative mind/body wellness becomes mainstream.
