Blog

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Holiday Stress Relief

December 8, 2021

The holiday season can be beautiful, from the lights twinkling around the city to the time spent with loved ones. However, it can also bring a lot of extra stress. Traveling, a full social calendar, the hustle and bustle of shopping for the perfect gift or stocking up on groceries for when the guests arrive are all pieces of the holiday season that can suddenly become overwhelming. We’ve talked about keeping your physical health on track during the holidays, but your mental health is important, too! If we aren’t careful, our stress can detract from the joy of the holidays

Meet Charles Eastman, Father of the Adventure Guides

November 24, 2021

November is Native American Heritage Month, and we’re celebrating the history of Native Americans within the YMCA. One of the many Indigenous Americans we celebrate this month is Charles Eastman, the first Native American to be certified in Western medicine. Eastman’s passion to support Native American youth led him to the YMCA when he was selected as the International Committee to fill the role of secretary for the growing YMCA movement in North Dakota and Minnesota. Between 1894 and 1898, he established 32 Native American chapters of the YMCA. The New York YMCA invited Eastman and author Ernest Thompson Seton

Ten Tips for Tackling the Holiday Temptation

November 22, 2021

The holidays often center around food, family and fun. The smell of food drifting from the kitchen is a staple in nearly every household, paired nicely with the sound of football on the TV. Whether you’re an early riser hoping to catch the first run of the big parade on TV or sleeping in until the scent of desserts in the oven tempts you from bed, holidays are stuffed with tempting obstacles trying to trip you up. To help tackle the temptation, we compiled ten tips that are sure to keep you from giving in! These building blocks help you

Learning Happens Everywhere

November 17, 2021

During National Education Week, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City recognizes that learning happens in school, at home, and everywhere in between—including the Y! From soccer teams to afterschool care, our programming is designed to support social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Specific programs like the Elementary School Sports League allow students in the Oklahoma City Public School System to participate in sports their parents may not otherwise be able to afford. This partnership with OKCPS provides students with the equipment, uniforms and cleats needed to participate. In the fall of 2021, 486 participants from 32 schools took part in one

Know Your Risk: One in Three

November 14, 2021

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and November 15 is World Diabetes Day. Following a year of reduced activity due to the pandemic, statistics show prediabetes rates are on the rise. Currently, 88 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes but less than 16 percent know they have it. Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. In addition to the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people with prediabetes are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart

Supporting Heroes During Active Duty and Beyond

November 11, 2021

To those who are currently serving or have served in the past: Thank you for your service. In an effort to give back to the men and women who answered the call, the Armed Services YMCA proudly partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to offer memberships through the Military Outreach Initiative. This initiative allows military members and families to receive access to vital resources that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. More than 87,000 YMCA memberships have been provided to military personnel and their families since the initiative began in 2008. Locally, our commitment to serving our

A Heart for the Arts

October 27, 2021

It’s no secret that the arts have a drastic impact on children and teens’ development. The power of the arts is not only limited to mental development, but it allows for the exploration of new ideas, emotional expression and cultural appreciation. The arts, like many programs here at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, are key elements of healthy mind, body and spirit. From the music played to the dance-inspired fitness routines in our group exercise classes, the Y has plenty of ways to celebrate the arts during National Arts and Humanities Month. Perhaps the best example of how the

Spirit Day: Celebrating A Place For All

October 21, 2021

October 21 is Spirit Day, a day dedicated to visibly take a stand against the bullying of LGBTQ youth. These youth experience bullying and harassment at a rate much higher than that of their peers. 70.1% of LGBTQ students report being verbally harassed, and many students still experienced bullying online after school buildings were closed during the pandemic. Of the LGBTQ students enrolled in middle school and high school last year, 52% report that they were bullied either in-person or electronically. At the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that

World Mental Health Day: Mental Health Matters

October 10, 2021

While the COVID-19 pandemic began as a physical health issue, it’s clear that mental health across the globe was also impacted. In the wake of constant change and slowly fighting their way back to normalcy, people have found themselves facing anxiety, depression and other mental health battles more than ever before. At the YMCA, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Our focus on a healthy spirit and mind continues to increase as we strive to improve the overall well-being of our members, participants and community. On

Meet the Team: The Integris Health Crew at Mitch Park YMCA

September 28, 2021

Did you know there are three Integris Health outpatient physical therapy rehabilitation clinics across the Y? Meet the team working at the Mitch Park YMCA facility. Daniel O’Connor PT, DPT, CSCS (Physical Therapist) Danny is an Oklahoma City native and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Athletic Training. He then earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2016. Danny is specialized in injury prevention, orthopedics, post-op rehabilitation, return to sport after injury, and health and wellness. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Blog

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Holiday Stress Relief

Meet Charles Eastman, Father of the Adventure Guides