Brio Living Services Team Members Celebrate Mental Health and Wellness
World Mental Health Day is celebrated October 10 and gives us a chance to reflect on activities that may benefit our own mental health – such as reading, meditation, exercising, and spending time with loved ones. According to the World Health Organization, the overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
Maintaining one’s mental health looks different for everyone, and at Brio Living Services, the well-being of our team members, residents, participants, and elders, is always at the top of mind. Our unique Wellness Program offers team members ample opportunities to achieve wellness in all facets, from spiritual, financial, physical, and more.
One of those unique programs is our annual Couch to 5K Challenge. This ten-week program had over 15 participants throughout Brio this year, with many of the participants being repeat runners. Participants enjoy receiving well thought out workouts weekly, with video instructions and a weekly virtual support group to stay encouraged. Participants ranged in levels of experience in their running journey; some just starting out, with others being avid runners and race participants.
Alyssa Lawrence, Home Care Specialist at LifeCircles PACE, falls into the avid runner category! It is her second year joining the Couch to 5K Challenge, and she enjoys challenging herself with individual and team races and trying new terrains. Alyssa ran in a total of four races this year, from individual to team, one of which being her first full marathon. The North County Half Marathon in Manistee, MI was her first all-trail race, and she says, “I fell multiple times and cried a lot! I thought for sure I had broken my ankle at one point. The medal as big as my face when I finished the race made it worth it!” Alyssa appreciates the mental challenge that comes along with running.
Another Brio team member using fitness to maintain positive mental health is Jeff Cole, Infrastructure Engineer. Jeff recently competed in the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race in Colorado and completed his ride in just over 12 hours! In 2022, Jeff experienced a biking accident, resulting in a fractured neck. Jeff used the challenge of this race as motivation; stating, “finishing a 100-mile race would allow me to mentally close out that difficult part of my life.” Surprisingly, this was the first competitive race that Jeff had ever participated in. He found he enjoyed the comradery of the participants to push each other to not stop, to keep going, and not quit. Since he had never competed before, he did have an intense training regimen; spending many winter hours in the gym. Once Spring hit and he was able to ride outside, he did 125-175 miles a week. Jeff says, “Before the race, I had logged approximately 3,500 miles on the bike for 2024!”
Congratulations to all of our Couch to 5K participants, as well as Alyssa and Jeff on their dedication and perseverance with their races! Aside from physical fitness to benefit your mental health, be sure to try other forms that may work well for you, too. Many people find things like reading, spending time in nature, and volunteering can be just as beneficial for your mental health as physical fitness. At Brio Living Services, we are committed to providing those we serve with opportunities to live out our mission of a world in which all are empowered to age well, in their daily lives.
Learn more about how you can share your passions in a career you’ll love at Brio Living Services.