Taking wellness to Negril’s Wavz Beach

Western Bureau:

The Western Regional Health Authorities (WRHA) took it to the beach in the western region last Friday with a belated staging of Caribbean Wellness Day at the Wavz Beach in Negril by hosting a 5K beach trot and beach volleyball matches, which form a part of their drive to promote a healthy lifestyle.

For Rosa Young, owner of Wavz Beach, the day was more than just exercise; she saw it as a chance to inspire her community to prioritise their health.

“We want to encourage people to get moving, because prevention is better than cure,” she said. “We have so much high blood pressure, and HIV is prevalent. So, once we can do these initiatives, it really helps the community because, especially with Westmoreland being one of the poorest parishes... . However we can make medical services accessible, we will do our best.”

Young, who has been working closely with Jamaica Moves and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, said the events are just the beginning of what is to come for Negril, Westmoreland. From Heroes Weekend activities to a newly launched football league, her goal is to combine health, wellness, and entertainment, while promoting community tourism.

“What this is doing is just getting people moving, whether it is through walking or other activities,” she said. “This leads up into our first community event in Heroes Weekend. So basically, I am trying to involve the schools as well because they are the heroes of tomorrow.”

Caribbean Wellness Day, observed across the region on the second Saturday in September, focuses on the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Orane Gardner, regional physical activity specialist with the WRHA, explained the significance of the day.

“What is happening globally? We are having a spike in non-communicable diseases,” he said. “And due to that, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has some commemorative days. As such, we are having now Caribbean Wellness Day, where that is used as an avenue to help curtail the spreading of NCDs.”

Gardener added that physical activities like tug of war, volleyball, and beach trots aren’t just for fun, as they make up only a segment of a larger strategy to promote healthy living. According to him, physical activity is any bodily movement that uses energy.

“So, the tug of war, the volleyball, the beach trot, the obstacle courses...they are all considered as physical activity. We are basically targeting community groups and workplaces now. Children are also invited to be a part of these, because we want the entire family to have a far greater reach,” he said.

He said partnerships with local businesses and venues like Wavz Beach are critical to the success of the movement.

“Time and time again, Rosa opens up the venue for us to come from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to host various activities, if there is anybody out there that wants to partner with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, we are definitely open,” he added.

Beyond the physical benefits, Gardner emphasised the wellness aspect of the event.

“One of the wellness parts we need to look at is the social wellness. So, this is actually bringing the parish of Westmoreland together for a social event,” he said. “Every 10 minutes of physical activity, your body starts to release endorphins that help you to feel good; that will take care of the mental [aspect].”

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The message of community involvement was echoed by Delon Scott, health promotion and education officer for Hanover, who assisted with coordination.

“I was asked to come to give support to the event here today. So, I assisted with the warm-up, got them set up for the beach trot (and) ensured that everyone knew where exactly they needed to be, then got them prepared for the volleyball game,” he said.

Scott, an avid volleyball player himself, spoke personally about the benefits of sports.

“I normally play volleyball at least once a week. I would play volleyball on the weekends, and it does help to bring down the stress of life and the pressures that I do face at work. It helps to take my mind away from everything, and it also improves my cardiovascular strength,” he shared.

Gerald Miller, health promotion and education officer for Westmoreland, reminded everyone that being active is nothing new as this is how Jamaicans used to live.

“Growing up as kids, we were very active,” he recalled. “We used to go to the bushes and cut cane, carry cane, look after cows and goats…it’s a different ballgame now. Most children will spend time now on gadgets.”

He stressed the importance of changing that trend.

“We have to be mindful of the sedentary lifestyle and how it can impact [us]. We are seeing young children dying from complications related to NCDs. Behaviour change is a process; it’s not an event. Incrementally, I think persons are getting there.”

Miller, who also participated in the 5k, recalled feeling revived after trotting the beach to the Long Bay Beach Park. Even the chief public health inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, took on the challenge of the 5K.

“The 5K walk was very good. I was trying to run it at first, but then I realised it’s better to walk,” he said heartily. “I walked the entire stretch and came back feeling a little tired. It’s a good thing and I’m going to try to start, at least every morning, to do a little walking.”

Morris encouraged residents to put health first.

“The greatest wealth is your health, and we have to keep ourselves healthy no matter how old we are or how young we feel we are. We should always try to keep healthy.”

Caribbean Wellness Day was just one event in the list of other activities, with plans for Heroes Weekend parades, community football and volleyball leagues, with support from Rosa Young.

“We are in it to win it, and there’s no losing. Look out Jamaica, Negril is in it to win it.”

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com