When people first talked of “well being” back in 1654, the word was simply used to describe a person without illness or disease, said Patricia Steiner of the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach office.
Today, well being refers to the complete state of physical, mental and social wellness.
The Iowa State Extension office will offer a four-session program titled “What About Me? My Well Being” starting today at the Burlington Public Library for residents interested in learning about those three areas of their lives.
The 45-minute sessions begin at 10 a.m. today, Jan. 10, Jan. 17 and Jan. 24. Participants can register for the free course at the library, by phone or on the library’s website.
Steiner, a nutrition and wellness specialist, will present the first session on taking time for yourself. Dawn Dunnegan, a family life specialist, will present the second session on social and emotional relationships. Mary Weinland, a family finance specialist, will present the third session on financial knowledge. Steiner also will present the fourth session on physical well being.
“The goal is for participants to just be more aware and understand what well being is,” said Steiner. “And help them engage in their own personal goals.”
Designed as an introductory program, “What About Me? My Wellbeing” aims to point participants in the direction of more programs and resources offered by the ISU extension office.
Those who miss the first program today still can sign up for the remaining three by the end of this week. However, participants are encouraged to join as soon as possible, as each week of the series builds off the previous week.
Steiner said the elements of the program relate to each other, saying for example a person with stable finances might be able to make healthier food choices or a person with positive relationships might find themselves more physically active.
The program started throughout the county earlier this year, including at senior housing units, but Public Services Librarian Sam Helmick made the decision to run the program at the library throughout January.
As the new year begins, many people are making resolutions, and this well being program can help to kickstart some of those goals. Helmick said she already has seen an increase in library visitors checking out books on budgeting and finance.
“We have always been the one-stop shop for the community to come in and build new skills,” Helmick said. “And the new year is always about building new skills and growing as individuals.”
The program, open to those over 18 years old, offers people the advice of professionals and a support group of peers rather than trying to learn alone, said Helmick.
If interested in hosting this program somewhere else, contact Steiner at the ISU extension office for Des Moines County at (319) 671-7165.