The dawn of a new year brings excitement for change, growth, and a renewed mind and body. Many people use the new year as an opportunity to commit to making a change. Whether you are looking to strengthen your mind or body, these Rowan County businesses are here to help. “Be kinder to yourself and then let your kindness flood the world,” says Pema Chodron. As Rowan County citizens we have several places and organizations that can help us to create healthier and better versions of ourselves. By working together to make changes we can continue to make Rowan County the place where everyone wants to be!
Helping Others to Achieve Happiness
It was Booker T. Washington who said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” Happiness in life is one of the greatest quests in most peoples’ lives. We all want to live a life filled with purpose and happiness. Fortunately, Rowan County is full of organizations looking for wonderful volunteers on a regular basis. Meals on Wheels in Rowan County is an organization that allows home-bound seniors and disabled members of our community to receive a nutritious meal. Their website says, “If you can give one hour of time and one gallon of gas, you can be a Meals on Wheels volunteer!”
Volunteer Opportunities through Rowan Helping Ministries
Rowan Helping Ministries is also a wonderful place full of volunteering opportunities. There are volunteer requests in Jeannie’s Kitchen, The Shelter, Crisis Assistance, The Food Pantry, The Clothing Center, Family Food Bag Packing, and Food for Thought. There is a job for every age at the Ministry.
Rowan Helping Ministries is able to support the needs in our community due to the several volunteers.
Rowan Salisbury Schools are eager to receive volunteers. The need is great and the number of volunteers is not filling the void. My wife has thoroughly enjoyed her time volunteering at one of the County’s local elementary schools.
Michelle Lancaster shared that “Being an extra set of hands for teachers or listening to a child read and gain confidence as their reading abilities improve is extremely rewarding. There is nothing like walking into a school and receiving warm welcomes and friendly smiles from precious little children who don’t even know your name, but remember that you were there and willing to listen and talk with them.”
The system requires that all volunteers undergo a background check and attend a short volunteer training. All information can be accessed on the Rowan Salisbury Schools website.
Taking Care of YOU in the New Year
In order to successfully help others, you have to take care of yourself. From working out to carving out time to relax there are several facilities in the county that are available to help citizens with their self-care. If you are looking for a place to spend some time exercising, there are quite a few places to choose from.
Let’s Get Real About Fitness
Planet Fitness is recognized for its comfortable and welcoming environment as well as its availability to those who may only be able to fit in time to work out when most facilities are closed. Two of our favorite features included in the Black Card Plan is the HyrdoMassage chairs as well as the option to bring a guest anytime.
The Forum of Salisbury is also a wonderful place to connect with others and improve your overall health. When asking owner, Matt Marsh, if there are any specials for those trying to improve their health with the new year he said, “January is free!”
Firefighter, Wesley Jackson, and his fiancé, Officer Taylor, working out at the Forum in Salisbury.
Relax A Bit
If you are looking to spend a little more time relaxing in the new year, The Salisbury Salt Spa is a unique experience that is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and at ease. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our Halotherapy session which is known to improve skin and respiratory issues as well as calm the mind. The Salt Spa will soon be adding Float Therapy. This special therapy is known to help individuals with everyday stress and even relieve symptoms of PTSD.
Heart of Yoga, located on Innes Street in Salisbury, offers a wide variety of classes. Through yoga, individuals are able to strengthen their bodies and minds. Whether you are looking to strengthen your mind or body, these Rowan County businesses are here to help. “Be kinder to yourself and then let your kindness flood the world,” Pema Chodron.
Explore the Outdoors
Family wellness is crucial to success in all other areas of life. There are quite a few parks in the county that allow families to spend time playing, exercising, and talking with one another. In addition to the free parks, there are also several new trails that have been created to provide opportunities for individuals and families to become “more active and environmentally conscientious.” Maps are provided online to the locations of the green-ways in our county.
Whether you are wanting to improve your body physically, your diet, your mental health or your generosity let us all resolve to take steps every day to make the community we live in a better place by being better versions of ourselves. As Roy T. Bennett said, “Don’t just dream, do. Don’t just hear, listen. Don’t just talk, act. Don’t just tell, show. Don’t just exist, live.”
Rowan County residents getting active on High Rock Lake!
If you want to learn more about these healthy places and more in Rowan County to make sure you kick-start your 2020 right, check out these hot spots!
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- East Rowan – Saleeby-Fisher YMCA: 790 Crescent Road, Rockwell
- Salisbury – J.F. Hurley YMCA: 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, Salisbury
- South Rowan – J. Fred Corriher Jr. YMCA: 950 Kimball Rd., China Grove
- Juice Life: 712 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, Salisbury
- Workout Anytime: 2218 Roxie Street Northeast, Kannapolis
- Planet Fitness: 710 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, Salisbury
- Planet Fitness: 1351 S Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis
- The Forum of Salisbury: 2318 South Main St., Salisbury
- The Salisbury Salt Spa: 120 E Fisher St., Salisbury
- Heart of Yoga: 131 E Innes St., Ste 303, Salisbury
- Meals on Wheels: 1307 S Salisbury Ave., Spencer
- Rowan Helping Ministries: 226 N Long St., Salisbury
- Rowan Salisbury Schools: 500 N Main St., Salisbury
