Wellness Activities

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What is the guide?

Wellness Activities introduces people to strategies that help them create new health habits of their own choosing. Each lesson has been constructed as a group activity that maximizes learning through building positive interpersonal relationships and actively involving participants.

How does it work?

The Wellness Group meets weekly for one hour. The manual contains 9 lessons focused on physical, emotional, and intellectual wellness. The wellness activities cover the following:

Gratitude journaling
Mindfulness
Healthy food choices
Leisure planning for wellness
Habits and routines
Relaxation techniques
Sleep for wellness
Yoga
Tips for eating well

Each lesson can be used as a stand-alone group or combined into a multi-session series. When running a group as a series of lessons, the facilitator should begin each lesson with a brief review of the previous lesson and orientation to the lesson of the day. Each lesson should end with a summary of the day’s lesson and a preview of the next lesson. A sample lesson is provided to allow the facilitator to create new lessons on a related topic or activity.

Lessons should influence the behavior of the participants outside of the group, not just provide a respite from their ordinary activities. With this is mind, discussions of practical applications and personal experiences are built into each lesson. Learning objectives for each lesson clearly identify the outcomes from each group session.

The class is best offered in community-based settings. It can be taught in mental health or social service agencies, peer-run programs, community health clinics, or anywhere in the community where people can gather comfortably and privately.

Wellness Groups are facilitated by a mental health peer. Lessons work best when attended by 10-12 people.

What resources are needed?

A computer and copier to download and prepare the manuals and handouts
A private room
Pencils or pens for participants to take notes and complete any handouts
Cell phone or computer speakers to play audio
Kitchen utensils and appliances to prepare healthy foods
Groceries and related supplies
Journals for each participant
Soft/foam ball for participants to play toss in a group

What experience is needed?

While specialized training is not necessary to run these groups, experience with facilitating group activities and a general understanding of the concepts of wellness is beneficial. Also, it is important that the facilitator have good interpersonal skills to engage participants in the activities.

Helpful preparation also includes:

Deciding which lessons will be addressed to develop a schedule with participants
Reading the lesson and preparing all the materials before each group starts
Being aware of cultural differences and any limitations participants may have with a given activity