| Here's an interesting fact. Where you live can have a | | | | Mini-Spa Day for yourself at home. Be sure to plan |
| huge impact on your health. You may think that | | | | for one and a half to two hours when you |
| this is just common sense. After all, different areas | | | | won't be interrupted. Be creative and formulate your |
| vary widely in such factors as air and water quality, | | | | own routine. Put on some relaxing music. Add your |
| crime rates and so forth.But it's not just the air or | | | | favorite bath salts to a hot tub of water and soak |
| the water in your particular location, but the types of | | | | your cares away. Take time to really relax. Slather on |
| lifestyle choices that location | | | | a moisturizing lotion after you get out. You get the |
| fosters. Of course, the market is responding to this | | | | idea!2. Get outside. Explore local nature trails and |
| and planned "wellness communities" are springing up all | | | | parks or botanical gardens. Walk barefoot on the |
| over the U.S.If you are thinking of a community that | | | | grass of your lawn. Even going to a mall that has a |
| has golf courses, spas, gyms, biking and hiking trails, | | | | courtyard area with plants and flowing water can |
| you would be right.But that's not all.These new | | | | reconnect you to nature.3. Sign up for a new body |
| wellness communities are hiring wellness directors, | | | | class. Make a commitment to explore yoga, Pilates or |
| trainers, nutritionists, wellness coaches and other | | | | even a martial art.4. Join a reading group, or if you |
| professionals to help create a wellness culture in the | | | | like to write, a local writers group. Do something to |
| community and to assist residents in achieving their | | | | stimulate your intellectual and creative side.5. Take |
| wellness goals.But moving to one of these wellness | | | | some time each day to quiet your mind, either by |
| communities will cost you...plenty.The Cliffs, a wellness | | | | meditation or just listening to beautiful music.6. |
| community near Asheville, North Carolina, gets | | | | Consider hiring a professional Wellness Coach to help |
| $750,000 for a one bedroom cottage and up to $5 | | | | you map out a plan and achieve your goals.Even if |
| million for a 4000 square foot, four bedroom house. | | | | you incorporated all of these suggestions into your |
| ( )So what if you don't have the bucks, or the | | | | life, the cost would be minuscule compared to |
| inclination to move to a wellness community? How | | | | moving to a wellness community. And the |
| can you improve | | | | benefits?Priceless!Ellen Britt, PA, Ed.D., is executive |
| your living environment so that you are supported in | | | | producer of the beautiful and relaxing Flash movie, |
| making healthier choices for yourself and for your | | | | Lessons from Water. |
| family?Here are some suggestions:1. set aside a | | | | |