by Glendale Sports Center | Apr 21, 2023 | Glendale City News
by Amanda-Scates Preisinger, MPH, Senior Director of Health and Well-Being, YMCA of Metro Denver
Some say fitness is mind over matter, but true health requires both mind and matter. Mental health is how we think, act, and feel; We all have mental health. During Mental Health Month (this May), mental self-care is front-of-mind for us at the YMCA of Metro Denver, especially since we aim to provide workshops and experiences that promote mental health in our community.
Just ask Betsy Schwartz, Denverite and YMCA of Aurora member. “It’s all so connected — mental and physical health,” she shared with us recently. “I can see when I’m looking at the mirror in Body Pump class how much stronger my arms are, which is good for my mental health… There’s also endorphins that release when you really work up a sweat, and so I’ll bike.”
She is not alone. Recent studies have found that physical exercise can significantly improve mental health, and that regular, positive activity boosts cognitive function and can combat depression. This is true not only for older adults, but also for teens and pre-teens.
It’s particularly encouraging to work out in a space where you’re known and appreciated, which is why the YMCA is committed to providing Denverites a safe, encouraging community with opportunities for physical as well as mental self-care. “It’s all the benefits of physical exercise plus the community,” as Betsy has said.
In addition to improving physical health, finding ways to grow social/emotional skills and mindfulness can have other significant health benefits as well. The YMCA focuses on incorporating social and emotional elements throughout our programs. Samantha Church, manager of YMCA Out of School Time, manages teams that “build social and emotional pieces into our curriculum and check in with the kids every day. We have conversations about what it means to be a friend and how to express emotions in a healthy way.”
Her team members are also part of regular learning cohorts on trauma-informed care and how to provide kids with consistent emotional and social support.
Because of its importance, our YMCAs also offer a variety of programs focused specifically on mental health, including mindfulness. Betsy and a fellow member Jane recently joined the Y’s Mindful Eating Program and were both surprised about how much they learned to appreciate food and other aspects of life in the process.
“It’s slowed me down a little bit — to be aware,” Betsy explained. “It made me look at food not as a reward or something to avoid, but something to hopefully live with for a long time, slow down, taste it, and enjoy… It’s journey and a practice, kind of like yoga.”
“With mindful eating, you start applying the same tactics to other things you do,” Jane added. “It teaches you to appreciate what you have.”
In an increasingly stressful world, it is more important than ever before that we support each other mentally and emotionally to lead happy and healthy lives.
To learn more about our mental health workshops, events, and resources at the Y, please visit denverymca.org/mentalhealth.
by Glendale Sports Center | Mar 21, 2023 | Glendale City News
As a parent, one of the most important — and sometimes challenging — things you may do is advocating for your child’s physical and emotional well-being. Childrens’ voices aren’t always heard, and sometimes they need adults to speak up on their behalf.
How To Advocate For Your Child At school
Being involved in your child’s education plays a powerful role in their academic success. If you’re wondering how to advocate for your child at school, keep in mind that you and your child’s teacher should work together to develop plans that make the school experience as positive as possible. Regular communication with your child’s teacher can help shed light on any problems or issues your child is having in the classroom, as well as assure you how your child is doing in school.
How To Advocate For Your Child In Social Settings
If your child needs help with bullying, it might be time for you to step in. When bringing up an ongoing issue with another parent, have the conversation privately rather than in front of other people. Begin by asking the other parent for their help. Don’t blame or shame, just stick to the facts and try to avoid using the word “bully.” Admit that you may not have the whole story (there are always two sides), so be open to what the other side is. You might even mention how awkward you feel bringing up this topic. Focus on working together to find a resolution that works for everyone. If the bullying doesn’t stop, follow up with the parent again.
In addition to directly communicating with other parents, have regular communication with school personnel. Ask your child’s teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors how your child is doing socially and emotionally at school and within their peer groups. If the bullying is happening at school, they need to be made aware so they can help. Lastly, be sure to keep tabs on your child’s online presence and make sure they’re using social media safely to help prevent cyberbullying.
How To Advocate For Your Child In Healthcare
Your child has rights as a patient and you also have rights and responsibilities as a parent. Some of those rights include taking part in all decisions regarding your child’s care and treatment, asking questions freely, whether to ask to see another doctor, get a second opinion, or change doctors or hospitals, and asking for things to be explained more clearly if you don’t understand fully.
At home, parents can prepare their child for an upcoming medical experience by being honest and informative. For example, if a child needs to visit their primary care doctor for a vaccination, parents can inform the child a few days beforehand. They might say, “It’s important to keep your body healthy, and part of that is going to the doctor even when we feel well, so they can help us continue to feel great in the future.” Then, as the appointment nears, parents can explain the vaccination procedure step by step, with sensory details, such as “first, you’ll feel cold soap that cleans your skin,” and “next, you’ll feel a poke that lasts less than 20 seconds.”
For more information around advocating for your child’s well-being, check out the full article here
To learn more ways you can keep kids healthy from Children’s Hospital Colorado experts, join five area YMCAs in the Denver metro area for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 29. More details at https://denverymca.org/healthy-kids-day.
by Glendale Sports Center | Feb 22, 2023 | Glendale City News
by Amber Millison, MS, RDN and Alyssa Leib, MS, RD
Where does our food come from? You might think of exotic places around the world or your own backyard. Most of our food travels thousands of miles by land and sea. This travel can create emissions that may be harmful to the environment. During March’s National Nutrition Month and beyond, we can make a difference through some of our own food choices! Read on to learn more about how you can Eat for the Environment.
- Include more plants. Did you know that it takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to make one 3-ounce serving of beef? Nearly 100 pounds of greenhouse gases are released during that beef production, as well. In comparison, the same amount of tofu requires just 500 gallons of water. Eating more plants can have a positive impact on the environment, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop eating meat altogether. Instead, focus on being plant-forward and including more plants in your diet by trying some of these ideas:
- Try Meatless Monday or commit to trying one new vegetarian recipe per week.
- Try different plant proteins, like beans/ lentils, quinoa, nuts/seeds, tofu, tempeh, and seitan (a wheat-based meat substitute) in your meals.
- Think globally! Many cuisines around the world center around plant foods, such as Indian, Ethiopian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Take inspiration from these cultures to try something new at home!
- Eat locally when accessible. Eating produce that is in season and grown locally provides many benefits for you and the environment. For you, the produce is higher quality — it contains more nutrients and tastes better! For the environment, there are fewer emissions from production and transportation around the world when the food doesn’t have very far to travel. Here are some tips to find local produce:
- Use a seasonal chart when purchasing produce to make sure you are shopping in season.
- Look for the Colorado Proud sticker or stamp on Locally Grown Foods (many grocery stores promote Colorado-farmed food).
- Farmer’s Markets sell foods harvested from late Spring through Early Fall. Find one near you!
- Shop frozen or canned. When a recipe calls for produce that is not currently in season, you can turn to canned or frozen fruits and veggies. These foods have a longer shelf-life, which means they can be transported more sustainably and you are less likely to waste food. Here are some tips for choosing and using canned or frozen produce:
- Look for canned foods packaged in their own juices or water. Be aware of additives such as sugar, salt, and other seasonings.
- Choose frozen produce for a nutritious produce option. Because they are flash frozen immediately after harvest and do not contain additives (unless stated on the package), they can actually be more nutritious than the fresh option harvested out of season or transported a long distance.
Our food choices can have a big impact on the environment. We can reduce this impact when we become more aware of our habits and try making shifts, like the suggestions above. We hope that you find these tips helpful and that they encourage you to eat more plants, buy local seasonal produce when you can, and turn to canned or frozen foods as an alternative. Eating in this way will not only promote the quality and nutrition of your meals but also positively impact the environment.
It’s never too early to learn about where our food comes from and start making some of these food choices from a young age for long-term eating patterns and habits. The YMCA’s newest summer camp, “Dig In!” will teach your kids where food comes from through hands-on activities in our very own gardens. Learn more at www.denverymca.org.
by Glendale Sports Center | Jan 19, 2023 | Glendale City News
by Claudia Morlan, YMCA of Metro Denver
Photo: Courtesy of EGYM
The YMCA Metro Denver has a great fitness tool that takes the guesswork out of strength training. EGYM combines state-of-the-art technology and connects individuals to electronic equipment that is personalized and adjusts to you while helping you keep a routine and making workouts fun.
The smart equipment adapts and takes you through a workout with an interactive screen. It’s been a great addition to members’ workouts, and for one group, it has made an incredible impact.
4Abilities is a group that believes in empowering their members to maximize their independence so they can lead happy and healthy lives. Director Kelly Wilson founded the group in 2018 after her son Ryan told her that no one is really disabled, everyone has abilities. Some are just different from others and those differences make us all stronger. Kelly created 4Abilities as a Program Approved Service Agency, and now runs the nonprofit to provide community-based support services to individuals with different abilities.
A healthy life means prioritizing exercise — and Kelly and the 4Abilities members knew they needed to find a place that could offer something for each of them. Each member of the group is unique, and they knew they needed to find a location that could offer diverse opportunities so that everyone could partake in exercising.
As they researched different locations, they discovered that the YMCA Metro Denver offered the EGYM circuit. EGYM proved to be accessible and non-intimidating and could be individualized to each member in a very easy way. The members immediately fell in love with the program.
“The EGYM machines are accessible for every member of our group, and the prompts are simple to follow. Our members are able to be independent and do the workouts they enjoy on their own terms,” said Wilson. “The Y has become a sweet spot and safe haven for our members, and it is one of my favorite spaces to be in with the group.”
Currently, 4Abilities members go to the Aurora YMCA three times a week. They each have found their own workouts that work best for them:
Josh loves boxing. He will put his earphones on and do his own boxing workout in a room at the Y and he will not leave until he has burned over 600 calories. He has Down Syndrome, which can lead to low muscle tone. Since he has started working out at the Y, he has gotten much stronger and has increased his muscle tone — two things that will prolong his life according to research.
Kelly’s daughter, Shannon, has scoliosis and uses the pool to swim, which is an effective low-impact workout.
Ryan enjoys EGYM, elliptical, stairs, and treadmill cardio offerings. Because of his training at the Y, he was able to climb Mount Bierstadt this past fall.
And Sean enjoys going to the Y because he can be independent and do his workouts, while also having the opportunity to be social.
“Everyone can do what they’re passionate about, which makes working out fun,” continued Wilson. “The visuals incorporated into EGYM are awesome, the machine loads the weight for members, and the screens show them how to move through the reps. The screens on the bikes allow you to pick your terrain and set up your workout for you so all you have to do is pedal. Embedding these things into the equipment helps our members develop muscle memory. They have gained so much strength in different areas because of this. You don’t get this at other gyms.”
EGYM is an amenity offered at five YMCAs throughout the metro area. Learn more about EGYM at the YMCA.
by Glendale Sports Center | Dec 16, 2022 | Glendale City News
The YMCA of Metro Denver believes that every amazing camp experience starts with each child knowing they belong. Our camps help kids develop as leaders while taking part in unique learning experiences, innovative activities, and experience the perfect combination of play and learning.
Recently, the Zweig family recounted how Y youth programs have been a monumental part of their son Scout’s development:
“Scout has really loved his time with the Y. He loves getting to interact with kids who are both older and younger than he is, as kids are much more age-segregated at school. He thrives on the physical activities they do outdoors and the games they play indoors when the weather won’t permit them to go out. He gets excited about almost every field trip, from park visits, slides, and fountains, to swimming pools and trampoline places. It’s not uncommon for Scout to suggest we do things as a family on the weekend that he learned about by going on Y field trips. And we always feel comfortable that Scout is in good hands with the Y staff.
The Y has been a stellar source of socialization for him, and we love that he gets to hang out with kids of all races, ethnicities, and social classes. The Y is a mixing pot and ensures that our kid is exposed to many different kinds of people. The staff at the Y has been great about encouraging the aspects of our son that they are in a position to see blooming even before we do. As before-and-after-school providers, and as counselors for Scout’s day-camp in the summers, the staff is in a position to see Scout interact with other kids with much greater frequency than we do. They are there to encourage his strengths, to stoke his burgeoning grit, and to help curb those behaviors that are less than desirable. As such, they are like additional parents, aunts and uncles, and older brothers and sisters — the proverbial village helping us to shape Scout into the awesome kid he continues to become. We feel like we are doing something great for him by sending him to the Y.
When we started at the Y, we thought it was just daycare. We’d intentionally chosen a school we hoped would contribute to widening Scout’s horizons, but we never imagined that his daycare would end up being an equally profound influence on him. After four years with the Y program, we are very happy to know that Scout has been part of a family of strong, confident, diverse young men and women who have had a profound effect on his development in a way that neither we nor his school could have done. We recommend the Y’s youth development programs wholeheartedly to anyone interested in giving their kid more of the world to play in.”
Registration is open for Winter Break STEAM Camps at the YMCA at the Arvada and Aurora Y locations. Information and registration dates for 2023 YMCA Summer Camps will be available in January 2023. Learn more about fun, family activities at the YMCA at www.denverymca.org/fam ily-activities.
