Summer is coming to a close. Perhaps like most of us, you have used the warm weather to get outside and be physically active. Extra hours of sunlight usually help us to feel more cheerful and optimistic, even energetic. Granted, there were weeks of unrelenting heat, but we can always find a shady tree or a water activity to cool down.

Our physical activity or lack thereof can affect our mindset. If we feel bored or lethargic we may not have the inclination to get up and go, so to speak. Mindfulness means we pay attention to our thoughts, feelings and body. We should learn how to recognize if our motivation to be healthy is slipping. That is the first step. Then we need to identify strategies for mind and body wellness. All of this takes effort. The effort pays off in feeling well mentally and physically.

Satisfying relationships with others contribute to mental health. When we have trusted friends, we always have someone who listens and gives us positive feedback. The interchange of encouragement between friends is vital to all of us. We help each other through the ups and downs of life—celebrating happiness and consoling each other through sadness. For those of us with more serious problems, professional help might be needed for a while.

It is similar for physical wellness. Some people are able to develop healthy routines of activity by themselves. Others need personal attention and coaching to get there. One such place for personal training is Stay Fit Advanced Fitness located inside The Holly City Family Center, 8 E. Mulberry Street, Millville, NJ. [email protected]

GRITT (Greater Resistance Interval Training Treadmill) is their trademark-pending personal training system. Personal trainer Darla Jennings is a certified personal fitness trainer and sports nutrition coach. The gym’s walls are lined with photos and testimonials of the dozens of success stories of people that have overcome obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. If you are the type of person who is intimidated by the gym, Darla will help you lose that and achieve your goals.

One goal of this column is to inform our community about the resources we have to assist us in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Stay tuned next month to learn about another local resource for mental health.

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The Cumberland County Mental Health and Addictions Board actively promotes awareness of stigma and the need for public education regarding mental health and addiction. The Board meets monthly, and the public is invited to attend. Please refer to the meeting schedule on the Cumberland County website for meeting dates. The Board is also seeking new members. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and a resume to Melissa Niles, Cumberland County Human Services, 70 W. Broad St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or [email protected]