The Full Story
Equilibrio Health and Wellness Foundation
Healing Through Art: A Collaborative Wellness Program
In collaboration with the Dominican Women Development Center and Laura Arts Therapy, we ran an impactful and transformative program over the months of November, December, and January this past year. This program was specifically designed to bring healing, wellness, and health to the community of Washington Heights in uptown New York. With over 50 enthusiastic participants, we utilized the unifying power of art to foster connections, promote health, and enhance overall well-being. Below is an overview of the sessions and topics covered during our program:
By integrating art into our health and wellness sessions, we provided a unique and engaging way for the Washington Heights community to learn, heal, and grow. We are immensely proud of the positive impact this program had on our participants, and we look forward to continuing our mission of promoting health and wellness through innovative and collaborative approaches.
Location
The Dominican Women's Development Center (DWDC) is a non-profit organization based in Washington Heights/Inwood, founded in 1988 by nine Dominican women and it’s located at 715 W 179th St, New York, NY 10033.
Funder, Hispanic Federation
Session 1: Nourishing Connections - Dealing with Depression Through the Power of Friendship
In this session, we explored the profound impact that strong social connections and friendships have on mental health. Participants engaged in interactive activities designed to build and strengthen friendships, fostering a support network to help combat feelings of depression and isolation. Through group discussions and art-based exercises, we emphasized the importance of nurturing emotional bonds and seeking support from loved ones.
Session 2: Nourish Your Body with Healthy Foods - Managing Prediabetes and Diabetes
Participants learned about the critical role of nutrition in managing prediabetes and diabetes. This session provided practical dietary advice and meal planning tips to help participants make healthier food choices. We also incorporated an art activity where participants created visual food diaries and recipe collages, allowing them to express their journey towards better health creatively.
Session 3: Nature's Gratitude - Expressing Thankfulness Through Art
Gratitude is a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional well-being. In this session, we encouraged participants to express their gratitude through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, and crafting. This creative expression helped participants focus on the positive aspects of their lives, fostering a sense of thankfulness and contentment.
Session 4: Nourish Your Body with Rest and Sleep
Understanding the importance of rest and sleep is essential for maintaining overall health. This session provided participants with strategies to improve their sleep hygiene and establish healthy sleep routines. Through relaxation techniques and guided visualization, we helped participants appreciate the restorative power of quality sleep. An art-based activity allowed participants to create soothing, sleep-inducing artwork to support their bedtime routines.
Session 5: Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy offers a natural way to enhance physical and emotional well-being. In our final session, participants learned about the benefits of essential oils and how to use them safely. We explored different scents and their effects on mood and health. Participants created their own personalized aromatherapy blends and enjoyed an interactive workshop on making aromatherapy-infused art pieces.
Collaborations
Collaborations
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