Wellness, Physical Therapy and the Great Pumpkin Spice Takeover

October is National Physical Therapy Month, so I thought this would be a good time to talk about something we hear a lot about at Montgomery Place: wellness.

Of course, when we talk about wellness, one of the first things that comes to mind is being physically active. And that is important. Staying strong, working on balance, maintaining flexibility and keeping ourselves moving can make a tremendous difference in how we feel and how independently we live.

That is one of the reasons I am excited about some of the new equipment we have added to our gym. It gives our team additional ways to work with residents on strength, balance, mobility and overall physical function. New equipment is great, but what really matters is what we do with it—and, more importantly, how it helps people continue doing the things they want to do.

We also have another great resource in Shawn’s Place. Shawn’s Place is about activity, engagement and connection. It is another example of how we are continuing to look at wellness as something that happens throughout our community, not just in the gym or during a therapy session.

Because here is my thought for October:

Wellness is about a lot more than our physical health.

At Montgomery Place, we talk about aging well in body, mind and spirit. Those three things really do go together.

We need to keep our bodies moving, but we also need to keep our minds engaged. We need social connections and friendships. We need things that give us purpose. We need opportunities to learn, laugh, create and sometimes just sit and enjoy the company of others.

Wellness might be a physical therapy session.

It might be trying out a new piece of equipment in the gym.

It might be participating in an activity at Shawn’s Place.

It might be taking a walk, joining a class, reading a book, having lunch with a friend or learning something you have never tried before.

And sometimes wellness might simply mean taking a few minutes to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Which brings me to another very important topic for October:

Pumpkin spice.

I have to admit, I am not exactly sure when pumpkin spice took over the world. Somewhere along the way, we went from having a pumpkin pie in November to apparently putting pumpkin spice in just about everything.

Pumpkin spice coffee. Pumpkin spice muffins. Pumpkin spice cookies. Pumpkin spice cereal. Pumpkin spice candles.

I am still waiting for someone to introduce pumpkin spice toothpaste.

But there is something about October that makes those warm fall flavors feel right. Maybe it is the cinnamon. Maybe it is the changing leaves. Maybe it is simply the fact that pumpkin spice has become the unofficial flavor of fall.

And that actually brings me back to wellness.

Wellness should include some enjoyment.

We can talk about exercise, nutrition, sleep, preventive care and all the things we should be doing—and we should. But we should also remember to enjoy life along the way.

Spend time with people you enjoy.

Try something new.

Laugh.

Get outside.

Move a little more.

Rest when you need to.

Keep your mind active.

Find something that gives you purpose.

And if a pumpkin-spice latte makes you happy, well…October seems like the appropriate time to enjoy one.

As we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, I hope we also remember that wellness is not a destination and it certainly isn't just a number on a scale or how much weight we can lift.

It is about living well.

At Montgomery Place, we want to continue creating opportunities for all of us to age well—body, mind and spirit.

So, this October, get moving, stay curious, connect with others, take care of yourself and enjoy the season.

And yes, I suppose we can allow a little pumpkin spice, too.

Just don't ask me about pumpkin spice toothpaste.