Health & Wellness

Health is focused on the physical body and how well-functioning it is—or is not. Your health involves the way you eat (nutrition), how you move your body (exercise), and the absence of short-term or long-term diseases.

WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY HEALTHY

There are many factors that affect physical, mental, social and financial well-being, which in turn affect health. However there are some things within a community that help to reduce obesity, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, and make a community healthy.  They include:

• Grocery stores selling healthy foods
• Farmers’ markets
• Parks, playgrounds and other places to be active outside
• Safe walkable streets
• Public transportation
• Neighbors who know each other
• Access to healthcare

These aren’t the only things important to the health of a community. The number, type and condition of housing, the quality of its schools, the location of businesses, the connection to jobs paying living wages, a thriving commercial sector that employs local residents, and businesses that serve the neighborhood all contribute to a healthy community.

If HEALTH is the goal, WELLNESS is how we get there. Wellness is an active process of growth and change to reach your fullest health and well-being. It is pursuing activities, making choices and lifestyle changes and controlling risk factors that can harm a person.  A wellness lifestyle is doable whether you have perfect health or you’re struggling with a chronic illness. Wellness is about all aspects of your life — your body, your work, your relationships, your emotional life, and so much more.

Physical: Physical wellness increases physical fitness—by being physically fit, a person may have an enhanced ability to prevent illness and diseases.

Intellectual: Mental exercise and engagement through learning, problem-solving, and creativity support intellectual wellness and promote a better attitude. People who learn new things and challenge their mind may reduce the potential for mental health issues. 

Emotional: A person with emotional wellness is more prepared to deal with stressful situations.

Environmental: Awareness that maintaining and living in a healthy physical environment free of hazards promotes wellness.

Social: Social circles and support networks are invaluable to the overall well-being of a person. Relating, interacting, and contributing to a community, establishing good interpersonal relations, and maintaining long-term relationships with family and friends keep a person happier and healthier.

Spiritual: Spiritual wellness does not imply religion or faith of a person, but the search for meaning and purpose of human existence. This may be achieved through meditation, volunteer work, spending time in nature, etc.

MAKING & KEEPING RANDOLPH A HEALTHY COMMUNITY 

Community Wellness Plan is an action plan for improving public health in Randolph based on data and community feedback. Residents, municipal staff, faith leaders, health care and mental health providers are working toward the goals outlined in a four year plan.

Mass in Motion is a statewide movement that promotes opportunities for healthy eating and active living in the places people live, learn, work and play. We work to ensure residents have access to healthy, affordable foods and opportunities for safe physical activity.

Randolph Health Department prevents disease and promotes wellness in order to protect and improve the health and quality of life of its residents, visitors and workforce. They implement community health disease prevention and surveillance programs, public health education outreach and empowerment programs, environmental health permit and code enforcement inspection activities and public health emergency planning efforts.

Randolph Intergenerational Community Center is a gathering place for Randolph residents of all  ages providing quality and enriching fitness, sports, educational, cultural and intergenerational experiences. Programs and services are designed with a focus on the diverse physical, social, and emotional needs of the residents of Randolph.

Turner Free Library provides free access to information in the form of books, audiobooks, movies, and other materials as well as offering public computers and an open wi-fi network so that anyone can get online. The library is open to everyone, regardless of age, income level, race, ethnicity, physical ability, or citizenship status and there is no charge to become a Turner Free Library card holder.