Achieving wellness
To truly be at your best, many factors come into play. Complete wellness is more than a physical sense; it also encompasses mental and social wellness as well as general contentment in life.
Margaret Herron exemplifies several aspects of wellness. Herron has lived in one of Schowalter Villa’s independent living neighborhoods for about 10 years, and has embraced the many opportunities Bluestem Communities offers to live well.
“I moved to Schowalter Villa independent living from Texas a couple of years after my husband died,” Herron said. “My sister and her husband, who were Schowalter Villa residents, encouraged me to do this. My parents and numerous other family members had also lived at Schowalter Villa over the years, and they had all enjoyed the community.”
Herron took the brave step to move to a new state and community to live the kind of life she was looking for after a major life change, and she has never regretted the decision.
“I love the design of my home here and its location near the Wellness Center in the Lakeside Commons building,” said Herron.
Having round the clock access and close proximity to Bluestem Wellness Centers has been an encouragement for Herron to maintain an active lifestyle.
“I had been having foot and back problems that caused me to not be able to walk as much as I used to,” said Herron. “Now, thanks to the use of the wellness center fitness room, yoga classes, Silver Sneakers classes and physical therapy that is also located on the Schowalter Villa campus, I am physically stronger. I take advantage of the wide variety of group exercise classes the Wellness Center offers by attending Silver Sneakers on Monday and Friday mornings and Adaptive Yoga on Wednesday mornings. Prior to those classes, I go to the fitness room and warm up on the seated elliptical machine. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I use the seated elliptical machine for a cardio workout and then do a strength workout on the weight machines.”
In addition to a dedicated fitness routine, Herron is also committed to serving the community through volunteer opportunities.
“I have volunteered through various opportunities at Schowalter Villa, including the gift shop, garage sales and as a part of the Villa Partners, which is a group of volunteers that coordinates events to help raise funds for the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Caring Fund.”
“My mental and physical health have improved because of all of these activities,” said Herron. “I hope to age as gracefully as possible in good health.”