Goodbye 2020, hello 2021! After last year, many of us are looking to kick off the New Year on a positive note. We connected with some of Albany County's health and wellness experts to provide tips on how to overcome "Zoom Fatigue", how to start the year in a positive mindset, how to remain motivated and more! Keep reading for tips from Spa Mirbeau Wellness Manager Robyn Holstein.
Do you have any tips for starting off the New Year in a positive mindset?
One of the best ways to stay positive is to look ahead. Especially in these uncertain times of a pandemic, it can be easy to be down on yourself or the things happening in the world. We have experienced a lot of turmoil in 2020, but 2020 is over. To stay positive in the new year, think about all the good things to come. Look ahead and find things to look forward to. There are people, places and things that will make you happy when you think about them, so focus on those thoughts and experiences! What has happened in the past is gone and done. Look ahead at all the good things to come and make them happen!
Do you have any tips for overcoming "Zoom Fatigue" or any other wellness-related challenges that come with working from home?
Go outside! As much as possible, regardless of the weather, go outside! If you have 20 minutes, go for a walk. If you have five minutes, just do a lap around your house or the block, if you have one minute, open the door and take a few breathes of fresh air. It will help to get up, look at something different for a little while, and breathe.
Do you have any tips or words of encouragement to help people stay motivated in 2021?
You probably have heard it before, but it holds true that goal setting can work! You just need to set the right goals for yourself that are realistic and attainable. Set short term and long-term goals and write them down. The first thing in the morning, look at your day. What do you hope to accomplish? How does this bring you closer to a bigger goal? Look ahead to your goals for the week and check in with yourself each day. On the weekends, try some self-evaluation and see how you did. Then modify your goal for the next week if necessary. Where do you want to be in a month? In three months? In a year? There are many avenues for assistance if you need help staying motivated and positive. Often accountability can help with motivation. Just be sure to find the right person to be accountable to. It can be yourself, a loved one, a wellness professional or anyone who cares enough to help. Just ask!
For those who are interested in learning more about virtual wellness, where do you suggest they start?
Mirbeau Balanced is an amazing personal virtual wellness membership offering two-way live-streaming wellness classes, customized private coaching, and fun interactive workshops designed to promote balance, community, and longevity, delivered to you by the professional wellness teams of Mirbeau Inn & Spa. There are nearly 70 live-stream classes weekly with motivating instructors who know your name and keep you accountable. With Mirbeau Balanced, you can experience unlimited live yoga and fitness classes available 7-days-a-week including Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Barre, Body Sculpt and more. The instructors and staff will get you motivated while you enjoy fun workouts that fit with your schedule and allow you to connect with healthy like-minded individuals. For more information about Mirbeau Balanced, visit the website.
What are some of the most common challenges you see people facing and how do you recommend they overcome this?
Even in normal times when there is not a pandemic, motivation can be a challenge. We need to stay motivated to make the right choices in life, motivated to stay positive and motivated to do the things we need to do. When you are encouraged to stay home and away from people and discouraged from doing the things you like, it is easy to lose motivation. Try to stay focused on a few things that can be accomplished. Set goals and seek out others who share the same beliefs as you. Trying to do too much at once can often lead to failure. Pick out small things that mean the most to you and stick with those. Lack of motivation can change with one decision in one instant. Just get started on something and see it through. The feelings in the end will be worth it.
How has the health and wellness community adapted during the pandemic?
It is not natural for most humans to be anti-social. As a species, we need interaction and communication, we need smiles and hugs. With masks and physical distancing, many people are feeling alone. While we all need to be safe and follow proper protocols, it is important to find ways to satisfy basic human needs. The virtual world has been able to provide a lot of this. Using video calls, people can smile at each other again, talk comfortably without worry about being too close, and even share some fun experiences from different locations. The health and wellness community has adapted to offering programs and classes in this virtual world as well. Exercising provides so many benefits from stress-relief, to improvements in mood and energy, to better sleeping patterns and gains in strength. The virtual world has made it possible to take a fitness class or participate in a wellness program. While we are not sure how the future of fitness and wellness may look, it seems there may always be options for virtual programming.
What workshops and classes are you currently offering?
Mirbeau Balanced is offering many classes and programs. For the most current calendar events, please visit the website. Below are a few upcoming events:
Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 PM: FREE Virtual Full Moon Women’s Circle
Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 PM: FREE Info Session I – Virtual 6-Week Weight Loss Program
Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 AM: FREE Info Session II – Virtual 6-Week Weight Loss Program
Sunday, February 14 at 4:00 PM: FREE Valentine's Day Heart Opening Sound Bath
March 1 to April 10: 6-Week Weight Loss Program
