Whether we realise it or not, people in a community can be likened to dominoes stacked alongside each other, if one falls, eventually all will fall. Building a culture of wellness in a community is a virtuous circle, the individual benefits and ultimately the community benefits as a whole. Community events and initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of health and wellness, with the buzz and all the stressors of our day and age. On this premise, developers should consider how residents will be able to build a culture of wellness and provide those facilities very early on in the planning phase.
Wellness and health cover several aspects of our being; including emotional, physical, social and mental, and they are all interconnected. You could be eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise and then loneliness or another stressor can make you spiral into depression, which may eventually take a toll on your physical health. Oh! How fragile we are! We ought to be handled with care. Community wellness initiatives hit two birds with one stone, one’s physical and mental health are bound to improve because they add some warmth and human connection to your life. Perhaps there is a community marathon, it sounds like a cumbersome feat but running alongside friends and neighbours can make it feel like a breeze – and it’s good for the heart – both figuratively and literally!
For those who insist on being lone wolves, take note of this proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”. Community events and initiatives can be transformative for an individual because they introduce a sense of accountability that would have otherwise been lacking. If there is someone who has been told to refrain from taking certain foods, people in the community can hold them accountable and check in regularly to see to it that there is compliance. Individuals are empowered to make healthier choices in this regard
Our needs and our wellness are not a one-size fits all, and this is reflected in the diversity of community events and initiatives that can be launched to promote wellness. The events could involve physical activities such as yoga, fitness classes, the events could be informative and education like health fairs and nutrition workshops or the events could cater to mental health in the form of mindfulness activities. It is important to factor in these different angles to have a holistic approach to community wellness.
Community yoga classes are a means of promoting the wellness agenda. Proponents of yoga boast of how yoga has helped them manage stress and anxiety, helps them sleep better at night, and there have been studies that show that yoga can improve cardiovascular health. No worries if you do not get the form right during yoga classes, the mere presence of other people can ward off loneliness and give one a sense of belonging, and that is also a tremendous benefit. Developers need to integrate communal spaces for such wellness activities such as yoga. WestProp’s developments from Pomona City to Millennium Heights will all have fitness centres embedded within the estate to give residents convenience and access without having to leave the gates.
Health fairs are another means of promoting wellness in your community – these are characterised by a variety of services offered. There could be dissemination of information regarding good eating habits, health screenings, distribution of basic medicine and counselling. First Mutual in Bulawayo opened its doors to the public and set up a stall in the CBD for a health fair, this got people thinking about their health and becoming more aware about the implications of their lifestyle choices. This concept can be duplicated at The Hills Lifestyle Estate shopping mall. As a high traffic area, wellness fairs can be held in the mall to raise awareness on wellness to all passers-by.
For those who want a bit more adrenaline, community sporting events can encourage active lifestyles and introduce some healthy competition. Community planners can allocate spaces for sporting activities which will benefit all. Whether it be a soccer pitch or a basketball court, in no time community sports teams are formed and regularly members of the community are getting their fair share of much-needed exercise when they play sport. The fun does not end there, there could be cycling events or marathons – anything that gets the people moving! The Hills Lifestyle Estate ultra luxury residential golf estate will be a sports enthusiast’s dream. The estate will be home to sporting disciplines such as golf, padel with world-class academies for swimming and tennis. Residents will be able to get front row seats to international sporting events or to even set up tournaments of their own within the estate.
Wellness is a collective effort, and community events are a great way of embedding healthy habits into one’s lifestyle. A jog in the morning with community members on a Saturday morning becomes second nature rather than the bane of your existence, and you slowly ease into the idea that perhaps vegetables are not all bad. At The Hills Lifestyle Estate, the community can take on challenging inclines on the scenic biking and hiking trails. The serene ambience is conducive for socialising and thoughtful conversations. The people around us influence the way we go about our lives, and how ideal is it when the people are pursuing wellness. It is important to make sure that the events and initiatives are accessible to all so that there is inclusion and those with disabilities, the elderly and young children can find an activity to easily participate in.
Read more on age-friendly community activities here.
