Wednesday Walkers meet at Deep Creek at 11 a.m. weekly.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Many choose to hit the reset button on health at the start of a new calendar year. You don’t have to go it alone to achieve these goals. Instead, take advantage of programs on offer through the NC Cooperative Extension Office and health department in Swain County.
When prompted about small steps people can take to improve their health and suggestions for sustaining health goals, Shannon Royce, Jackson/Swain Family and Consumer Sciences agent, turns to North Carolina’s Eat Smart, Move More and its 8 Core Behaviors, found at eatsmartmovemorenc.com.
These eight lifestyle goals are evidence-based and can improve overall health. The goals are:
• Move more
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Sit less
• Get enough sleep
• Eat more healthy foods, less junk and fast food
• Drink more water
• Start and continue to breastfeed and
• Manage stress.
Royce said someone can choose one area, like drinking more water and commit to drinking an extra glass of water every day or for more sleep, set an alarm to get ready for bed30 minutes earlier each night.
“They are things everybody can do, and once you do them enough, they become habits,” she said.
Royce, who has been in her role since November, is kicking off several programs that people can take advantage of for improved health in a group setting. The programs are free and welcome to all.
Wednesday Walkers meets at the Deep Creek picnic area at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, which Royce said is to get people moving and socializing. There are tools available, such as ski walking poles and weighted vests, and depending on who shows up they hike for about 1-2 miles.
Beginning Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m., Royce is bringing Bingocize to the Swain County Senior Center. This fall prevention workshop and health program combines the game of bingo with inclusive exercises.
“Anyone can do it; people can come to socialize, exercise, there are prizes,” Royce said. “That’s gonna be fun.”
Royce has a background in personal training and is certified to teach yoga. Next week, she is starting two yoga classes to be held at the Almond School gym.
“Yoga has numerous health benefits for stress reduction, being mindful, but also socialization, flexibility, strength and balance,” she said.
The first is Accessible Yoga beginning Monday, Jan. 13, from 9-10 a.m. This is for older adults and beginners and uses a chair for modifications. “You can use it to do the whole class or as a tool for balance and stability or posture,” Royce explained.
This class is perfect for those who might be intimated by yoga, she said, and “demonstrates that anybody—regardless of their body, flexibility or experience—can do yoga. As long as you’re breathing, you’re doing yoga a great intro class.”
Yoga Sculpt will begin on Friday, Jan. 17, from 9-10 a.m. This is a high-energy, comprehensive yoga workout that offers a combination of toning and strengthening.
“There are lots of ways for people to be active and embrace some healthy habits,” Royce said.
Swain Summits
For several years now, Swain County Health Department has been able to offer a free community-wide wellness program, Swain Summits to people who live and/or work in the county. Registration for the program starts Monday and goes through Feb. 7.
Those who register get a full, complimentary bloodwork and wellness panel and have a chance to win prizes.
This is a low-commitment program that provides evidence-based monthly challenges that focus on key aspects of well-being, including mental health, nutrition, physical activity stress reduction, sleep and hydration.
For example, this January’s physical activity is titled Winter Warrior Steps and challenges participants to walk 6,000 steps (or 3,00 more steps than normally) every day for 15 days of the month.
To register, call (828)488-3198.