optwellorg

05/28/2026

FUN Mindful Movement class today with Halle with Brain Body Fitness who incorporated attendee's requested songs/artists!
SO … put on your favorite music and ! Challenge your brain with trying to remember the lyrics and sing along! Have fun! Join us for a free Mindful Movement session.
Visit our website for details and to RSVP https://optwell.org/events/mindful-movement-sessions/

05/27/2026

Beat the heat and choose healthy.
Choose water over sugary soda drinks.
More tips and suggestions on our website www.optwell.org

05/23/2026

Let us know which new recipes you will try to be brain/heart healthier? Check out some new ones from The MIND Diet.
Laura Morris, CPT, Co-founder spoke at our April 2026 Brain Health Matters event (presentation on our website under Events)

Discover a collection of delicious and nutritious MIND Diet Recipes that are perfect for both brain health and weight loss goals. Explore our blog and kickstart your wellness routine with our irresistible MIND Diet recipes!

05/22/2026

"Very good presenters. Really enjoyed it. I really like the practical and actionable advice."

"Great content and speakers. Learned more than I knew previously."

The video of our April Brain Health presentation is NOW AVAILABLE on our website (https://optwell.org/events/) and on our YouTube Channel.

Watch now to learn practical, science-backed strategies to support better brain health—starting now.

Thank you to our amazing informative speakers: Dr. Neelum AggarwaI with Rush University System for Health, Olivia Matongo, Phyllis Jones, Laura Morris with The MIND Diet and Kris Lonsway - Leadership Coach & Alzheimer's Prevention Advocate

Thank you again to our event Sponsors: Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter The Community House FNBC Bank & Trust Helping Hand Just Lift Fitness Home Helpers Home Care and a grant from the Illinois Brain Health Project.

https://youtu.be/JQg0hCfkX0A?si=kBxseG9vu9KAJARv

OptWell Brain Health Matters Event: What Parents, Adults & Teens Need to Know - April 16, 2026

05/15/2026

OptWell's Mindful Movement class was highlighted on WGN TV!

If you didn't see it, we have it! Watch this news segment to learn why it's so important to incorporate moving with brain exercises! And we laugh and have fun too!!

“Forty-five percent of all dementia cases including Alzheimer’s are preventable if we focus on those lifestyle factors,” said Kris Lonsway - Leadership Coach & Alzheimer's Prevention Advocate and founder of OptWell.

Many of our Thursday sessions are led by Halle McCormick with Brain Body Fitness, and who serves on our Advisory Council and our Mindful Movement Planning Team. She is also interviewed in this video as well as some regular class attendees!

Learn more about Mindful Movement sessions on our website (www.optwell.org) and sign up for a free session as "the earlier people begin exercising both their mind and body together, the bigger the flex!"

https://youtu.be/g5qwB3R22w4

Most workout classes focus on your calorie burn or heart rate but i...

05/14/2026

Have you used the tips shared at our February 24 event to reduce stress and find your calm? Watch presentation on the Event tab of our website - OptWell.org Thanks to for sharing these photos in their May issue.

05/11/2026

Which of these 10 Healthy Habits will you try to focus on this week?
Thank you to Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter for sharing this handout at OptWell's April 16 Brain Health Matters event.

05/07/2026

As May is Mental Health Awareness month, at the end of today's Mindful Movement session, Michelle Halm with Grief Connection Space read the book, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. It was a reminder for us to listen more than talking when supporting others and to seek help if needed. She also distributed some great resources for attendees to take home. Thank you also to Jenny Morgan for getting us moving today and challenging our brain health with some math questions. And to Kris Lonsway - Leadership Coach & Alzheimer's Prevention Advocate for reminding us the importance of incorporating .

View resources and upcoming events/sessions on OptWell's website. www.optwell.org

04/23/2026

RAISE YOUR HAND if you want to better manage your health?

RSVP and join us this Saturday at 9 am to move your body and calm your mind at one of our free Mindful Movement sessions.
Saturday's class will be led by Just Lift Fitness. RSVP for this one and others on our website: https://optwell.org/events/mindful-movement-sessions/

04/20/2026

Get moving! We have 3 free sessions THIS week!
RSVP: https://optwell.org/events/mindful-movement-sessions/
Attend 1, 2 or all 3!
* Wednesday 4/22: at La Bella with Aging Care Connections
* Thursday 4/23: this week moved to Township of Lyons office in Countryside (also on 4/30 … in May we're back to First Congregational Church of WS)
* Saturday 4/25: at Township of Lyons office in Countryside