Tinker’s first Wellness Day set for May 8 Published April 24, 2009 By Tinker Care Network TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Tinker Air Force Base is launching its first "Wellness Day" May 8. Food, games, music, sports and information will be available during this action-packed event to encourage Tinker personnel to incorporate the four dimensions of wellness into their daily lives, and have a little fun along the way. Activities kick off at 8 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. at several locations. Remember the picture of the aircraft with four tie-downs from previous Wingman briefings? It represents tie-downs for weathering the storms of life. When an aircraft is not flying, it is on the ground and can be vulnerable to the forces of nature. While a plane like this would warrant a hangar for protection, one may not be available. When that is the case, it is protected from blowing away by cables, or tie-downs, firmly attached to the tarmac. Even the strongest winds pose little threat to the airplane as it "weathers the storm." As humans, we are no different. We can weather the personal storms of life with our own tie-downs -- wellness in four dimensions: physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Wellness in these dimensions serves as protective factors to keep us well-grounded when we are at risk of "blowing away" with life stressors, and therefore, serves as a major deterrent to personal or professional difficulties. When we have strong tie-downs, they can help us get through a crisis or stressful event and remain stable, intact and able to work through various issues in our lives. Examples of strong tie-downs are: Physical: · Balanced and healthy diet · Exercise three to four times a week · Adequate sleep patterns · Within normal weight range Emotional: · Positive self image · Happiness, compassion, empathy · Acceptance of change · Goal-oriented · Optimism Social: · Healthy relationships · Social connections · Financial stability · Job satisfaction · Leisure activities Spiritual: · Meditate, pray or read inspirational material · Volunteer · Resiliency · Lifestyle consistent with core values Weak tie downs have the following characteristics or "risk factors" that may loosen the tie-downs we generally rely on, leaving us vulnerable to increased dangers and an overwhelming sense of distress. Examples of weak tie downs: ·Physical: ·Chronic medical problems ·Unhealthy diet ·Sedentary lifestyles ·Poor sleep patterns ·Weight management problems Emotional: ·Poor impulse control ·Low self esteem ·Depressed and anxious mood ·Pessimistic attitude ·Rigid thinking Social: ·Disciplinary or legal issues ·Alcohol abuse ·Financial issues ·Family violence ·Social isolation Spiritual: ·Absence of spirituality in dealing with life's challenges ·Absence of meditation or prayer time ·Difficult to recover from setbacks ·Lifestyle inconsistent with core values See if you can participate in at least one activity from each dimension. Spiritual: An Interactive Prayer Journey at the Base Chapel from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will allow participants to explore the spiritual dimension of wellness at eight Prayer Stations engaging multiple senses, where actions and ideas meld to create spiritual awareness. Social: The Tinker Care Network members will be among those offering information booths at the 552nd Air Control Wing Safety Day from 8 a.m. to noon in Dock 2. There will also be a drunk driving simulator, bicycle safety tips from Schlegel Bicycles, motorcycle safety and a simulator from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, tornado safety by Smart Safe, member and family support 24/7/365 from Military OneSource, Family Advocacy and many more. Music will feed your soul from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the area behind Bldg. 6001. Grab some lunch and relax before preparing to engage in the afternoon activities. "Happy Hour" kicks off at 8 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. But don't get out your wallet to buy a round of drinks -- this Happy Hour is an inspirational and comedic presentation by Bernie McGrenahan at the base theater. He'll be taking a lighter look at a serious problem -- high risk drinking and its effects. Billed as "Comedy with a Twist," Mr. McGrenahan has brought his humorous but motivational messages to military installations and college campuses throughout the nation. Mr. McGrenahan has been free from the grip of alcohol himself for almost two decades and knows first-hand how it can destroy lives, such as that of his brother, who died at age 19 in a drug and alcohol-related suicide. A three-mile Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the Gerrity Fitness Center. Personal financial management activities to help people reach their personal financial goals are planned from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 6001. Planning on retiring someday? This may be to answer you have been looking for. Physical: The Health and Wellness Center will hold the Taste of Fitness from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tinker Fitness Annex. There will be demonstrations of a variety of fitness classes and activities which are available on base, including individual programs. A Boxing Clinic presented by Tinker Boxing Club coach Gualberto Suarez and Army Boxing coach Lavell Sims will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at Gerrity Gym. Your questions will be answered by experienced fighters and coaches. Boxing challenges the entire body and mind. This is a great opportunity for beginners (men and women) to network and learn for free. Got game? Prove it at Wellness Day during the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Gerrity Fitness Center. Register your three- to five-person team (coed/mixed units) by calling 734-3155 or e-mailing aria.jones@tinker.af.mil no later than close of business May 1. Each team captain will receive the rules of play via e-mail on May 4. Don't wait to sign-up; the tournament is limited to 20 teams. Challenge your mind as well as your body in the Amazing Race. Tinker's Amazing Race will allow teams of six to eight people to maneuver through an intricate obstacle course full of excitement at the dorm track. Looking for a little friendly competition? Well, look no further. Other outdoor activities available are softball at the softball field, kickball at the soccer field, volleyball, tug-of-war and horseshoes behind the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 6001. Wellness Day Outdoor Sports teams may register until May 1 at wellness.day@tinker.af.mil. Provide the event you are signing up for in the subject line and list all team participants in the e-mail. Contact Tech. Sgt. Valerie Smith at 739-2975 if there are any questions. All outdoor events will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Emotional: The Organizational Consulting Office will provide Resiliency Training to help base personnel build a positive self image, improve happiness, build compassion, empathy and acceptance of change, work on goal-orientation and increase optimism. This is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Take the Resiliency Quiz at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ASPs/CoP/OpenCoP.asp?Filter=MC-OT-00-41 And if that's not enough: Getting hungry? If all this activity stirs up your appetite, numerous healthy lunchtime specials will be offered. Options include ham or turkey chef salad for $4.50 at the Tinker Golf Course. The Bowling Center lunch special that day is a chicken breast sandwich, chips and a small drink for $3.25 and the Tinker Club is offering a grilled chicken caesar salad for $5. Shuttle services will run between main event areas on Wellness Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pickup at the Bldg. 3001 flag pole will be on the hour, at Dock 2 at 15 minutes after the hour (until 12:15 p.m.) and at the Base Chapel on the half hour. For more information about any Wellness Day event, call Robyn Crowder at 736-9905. Overall activity schedule: 552nd Air Control Wing Safety Day in Dock 2, 8 a.m. to noon Interactive Prayer Journey/Chapel, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bernie McGrenahan/Base Theater, 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Suicide Awareness Walk/Gerrity Gym, 9:15 to 11 a.m. DJ/A&FRC Bldg. 6001, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Taste of Fitness/Tinker Fitness Annex, 2 to 4 p.m. Sports Activities/all over, 2 to 4 p.m. Personal Financial Mgt/A&FRC, 2 to 4 p.m. Resiliency Class/A&FRC, 2 to 4 p.m. Boxing Clinic/Gerrity Gym, 2 to 3 p.m.