wellness Archives - Page 4 of 5

The Environmental Benefits of Vertical Landscaping

Posted on July 21, 2021May 7, 2024 by Nancy

Vertical landscaping is a signature feature across Optima communities. In Arizona, we’re easily recognized by the lush greenery that makes itself a key element of the facade at Optima Camelview Village and Optima Sonoran Village. Most recently, we’ve even strategized how to bring our vertical landscaping to the inclement midwestern climate, with plans to incorporate it at our latest development in Wilmette, Optima Verdana.

Vertical landscaping at Optima Verdana in Wilmette.

Besides providing aesthetic value through added beauty and privacy for residents, our vertical landscaping system also serves another important purpose: bringing a broad array of environmental benefits to the natural environments in which we build.

The impact of our vertical landscaping system is something we calculated carefully through extensive design exploration, engineering and a multi-year research collaboration with Arizona State University.

The system, with self-containing irrigation and drainage, provides a haven for urban wildlife, promotes evaporative cooling, re-oxygenates the air, reduces dust and smog levels, reduces ambient noise, detains stormwater and thermally insulates and shields residents from the desert sun, all of which contributes to a sustainable urban environment.

Residents and community members alike also get to experience the direct impact of being surrounded by nature, with the vertical landscaping system serving as a connection to nature. Wherever this connection is made, it fosters a lifelong appreciation for the environment around us, and helps us all to stay mindful of the role we play in keeping that environment safe.

The Health Benefits of Being Outdoors

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Nancy

Considering we all spent a lot of time indoors in 2020, we’ll take any excuse to get outside this summer. Thankfully, there are numerous mental and physical perks to spending time in the great outdoors, whether it’s on a hiking trail or on your own terrace. Here are just a few of the many health benefits of being outdoors:

Boost Your Mood

Studies have shown being outdoors lowers levels of cortisol, a hormone that’s a marker for stress. Spending some time outside can help with stress, anxiety or depression, not to mention the added physical benefits of just spending a few minutes in the sun. Vitamin D helps with bone growth, regulates your immune system and can help battle depression. Even if it’s just a quick reset, getting out of the house and into nature can really boost your mood.

Improve Your Vision

Just like we’ve all spent more time inside over the past year, we’ve also spent more time on our screens. Whether you’re back in the office or working from home, your eyes probably need a break. Staring at computers, tablets and smartphones for long periods of time can cause Computer Vision Syndrome, but spending time outdoors can alleviate blurred and double vision, red eyes and headaches.

Photo of Optima Signature 7th Floor Outdoor Deck — Optima Signature 7th Floor Outdoor Deck

Refresh Your Focus

Nature and green space lets our brains take a break from the chaos of life (and in some cases has even reduced symptoms of ADHD). Spending more time outdoors is also linked to higher levels of concentration, creativity and improved mental clarity.

We hold these health benefits in high esteem, and it’s one of the many reasons we design our residential and communal spaces to invite the outdoors inside. Connecting to nature is an easy way to take some time and connect to yourself and to the environment around you.

The Health Benefits of Squash

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Nancy

Across all of our projects, our amenity spaces are designed to create fun, engaging ways for our residents to stay active. A few multi-family residences across our Optima portfolio, including Optima Kierland and Optima Signature, are home to racquetball and squash courts, providing a dynamic way to get active for a game of one — or both! — of the two sports. Whether you’re a life-long player or interested in picking up a racket for the first time, here are just a few of the health benefits of squash (or racquetball):

Improving Agility

Squash requires you to be light and quick on your feet to move randomly across the court. Unlike other sports, the energy and speed needed to play comes in short bursts rather than longer endurance. Covering distances within a short amount of time and striking the ball accurately means you’re training your body and brain to act quickly.

Improving Bone Health

Squash is a relatively low-impact sport, but it can still help build bone density and strength. Playing squash has been shown to help maximize bone mass before the age of 30 and afterwards help to slow down bone loss, not to mention it decreases the risk of osteoporosis.

Improving Balance

Looking for a balance-oriented workout that isn’t yoga? Playing squash certainly helps your coordination skills, but it also means your whole body has to work in tandem. To keep up with the sudden directional changes of the ball, you need control over your own balance and stability.

Improving Mental Health

Arguably one of the best health benefits of squash is the effect on your mood and mentality. Like most exercise, squash boosts your brain power, your energy levels and your endorphins. Devoting time to play can bring discipline into your routine, not to mention the added social aspect of playing with friends.

When we design our amenities, our intention is always to provide a welcoming, exciting space for people to connect with their sense of well-being — and our squash courts do just that.

The Health Benefits of Yoga

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Nancy

We enjoy creating communities with amenities to support a well-rounded, vibrant lifestyle. Many of our properties, including Optima Kierland, Optima Signature, and under-construction Optima Lakeview include yoga studios as part of our impressive amenity stack. Yoga is a low-impact exercise method, as well as a mindfulness practice, that brings with it a wide-ranging array of health benefits. Here are just a few:

Improves Bodily Strength

Yoga has been demonstrated to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Going through the slow, gentle movements and deep breathing exercises increases blood flow and warms up your muscles. Holding poses helps you develop better core strength and in turn, improves your posture. And as you stretch your muscles with each pose, you also increase your range of motion and flexibility. Overall, the impact of this exercise leads to increased bodily awareness as well.

Aids in Pain Relief

Yoga has been recommended for those going through an illness, recovering from surgery of living with a chronic condition. That’s because the practice has the potential to aid in pain relief — specifically, back pain. Stretching your lower back through the various poses is believed to help relieve pain and improve flexibility overall during the healing process. And for those with arthritis: gentle yoga has shown to ease some discomfort when it comes to those tender, swollen joints.

Boosts Energy and Mood

As a practice grounded in body-mind-spirit connection, yoga naturally has an impact on your mental health as well as your physical health. Yoga has been demonstrated to aid in stress relief, and even lead to a better night’s sleep. It also provides a boost to your overall energy and mood levels, producing better alertness and enthusiasm in its wake.

Whether you’re looking for a low-impact fitness regimen or seeking a sense of groundedness, yoga is a great and healthy option for everyone.

Indoor Basketball at Optima

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Nancy

As part of our commitment to creating healthy and happy communities, we’re constantly looking for inventive ways to keep our residents entertained, engaged and on the move. In all of our apartment communities, indoor basketball courts help achieve those goals. Integrated into our extensive amenity floors, indoor basketball at Optima helps residents stay healthy while having fun.

Our properties across Illinois and Arizona house their own courts, including 7180 Optima Kierland, Optima Kierland Apartments, Optima Signature, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Camelview. Basketball courts will also be part of the 40,000 square feet of amenity spaces at our latest project, Optima Lakeview. Each court is designed to seamlessly flow with the Modernist design of all of our spaces. And to accommodate the interests of our residents, many courts are now being striped for pickleball use. Along with being an in-demand recreational amenity, basketball has quite a few health benefits for those interested in playing.

Indoor Basketball Court at Optima Signature

Although many may have played as kids, there are plenty of perks to getting into basketball as an adult. Playing basketball requires agility, strength and stamina, so it naturally builds muscular endurance and healthy bones. It also helps improve balance and coordination and like many other regular physical activities, it boosts heart health. As far as mental benefits, engaging in physical activity releases endorphins and can be a big mood booster, whether you’re playing a quick game or you’re on the court for a few hours.

Our favorite benefit of basketball might have to be the team spirit and communications needed to play the game. We hope that all of our amenity spaces — our indoor courts included — make space for camaraderie and community, especially during a time when many are craving them. From new novices to life-long players, indoor basketball at Optima provides a welcomed escape to relax, play and stay active for our residents.

The Health Benefits of Swimming

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Nancy

We enjoy creating communities with amenities to support a well-rounded, vibrant lifestyle. Many of our properties, including Optima Kierland, Optima Sonoran Village, Optima Signature, and the in-development Optima Lakeview include swimming pools as part of our impressive amenity stack. Spending time swimming is the perfect leisurely activity as well as a great fitness option with a wide-ranging array of health benefits. Here are just a few:

Full Body Workout

Water is 800 times more dense than air, and spending 30 minutes in a pool is actually worth the equivalent of 45 minutes doing a similar workout on land. Because of this, swimming is an intensive form of fitness that works your entire body. The activity, which engages arms, legs and core all at once, has a head-to-toe impact that leads to muscle toning, endurance building and strength building.

Lifetime Health Boost

In addition to the external impact, swimming does great things for your internal and overall health. It improves the cardiovascular system, leading to a stronger heart, lungs and circulatory system. This also helps guard against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as helping to control blood pressure and blood sugar.

Great For Injuries

Because swimming is such a low-impact sport, it’s the perfect fitness option for those experiencing arthritis, injuries or disabilities. While water provides enough resistance against muscles for an effective workout, your buoyancy provides support you won’t find on land. Experts even say that swimming can help reduce pain and improve recovery from injuries.

Rooftop sky deck pool at the 7140 tower at Optima Kierland Apartments

Positive Mental Impact

Research shows that those who swim regularly experience better sleep at night. In addition to being a restful activity, swimming also serves to boost your mood. By exercising, your body is releasing endorphins and increasing your metabolic rate, which leads to both improved mood levels and improved energy levels.

Whether you’re looking for a regular fitness regimen, recovering for an injury or even looking for a pregnancy-safe workout routine, swimming is a great and healthy option for everyone.

Your Guide to Golfing Inside

Posted on January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 by Nancy

With the winter months officially here, many of us are having to go without our favorite outdoor activities and sports. However, for residents at many of our Optima buildings, golfing year-round, rain or shine, is still a possibility. For avid golfers who want to keep up their game at all times, we present your guide to golfing inside:

The first golf simulators appeared in the early 1970s, developed from placing computerized sensors at different points on a net. This method only allowed players to practice their swings and offered no way to gauge distance or accuracy. Thankfully, technology has allowed for golf simulators to expand and advance over the years. Now, you can play a full round of golf with different clubs for a more well-rounded practice, and enjoy putting on some of the world’s best golf courses right from the comfort of home.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a newbie, indoor golfing has a few perks that even real golf can’t beat. The first — and most obvious — being that you can play any time and in any weather condition. Playing via simulator also requires significantly less time, and there’s no commitment to play through an entire round. For anyone working from home, that means an easy golf break during lunch, or a quick way to reap some of the health benefits from the sport. Of course, improving your game is a huge benefit. Simulators provide instant feedback for each shot, so you can adjust as you go. By the time the weather warms up again, you’ll be a new player.

Golfing Simulator on the 7th floor amenity space at Optima Signature — Golf Simulator on the 7th floor amenity space at Optima Signature

For residents across our Optima Kierland community, golf simulators are integrated at our residents-only clubs on our extensive amenity floors. At Optima Signature, a golf simulator and putting green ensure that residents can practice both their long and short game. We know how important wellness and recreation are to our communities, and we hope our amenity levels — including our golf simulators — help residents stay healthy year-round!

The Health Benefits of Natural Light

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Nancy

Architecturally speaking, Modernist design is often defined by expansive windows and plenty of natural light, something we’ve incorporated across our properties for decades. There’s certainly an aesthetic benefit to large windows and entryways; they invite the outdoors inside, giving residents a full view of the surrounding environment. And as we’ve seen from this year, there’s certainly a wellness aspect to the design feature as well. So what exactly are the full health benefits of natural light?

Physical Benefits

When exposed to sunlight, our skin absorbs vitamin D, which helps prevent bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain and various cancers. You don’t have to sit by the pool in order to get plenty of vitamin D; soaking in some sun while you work from your at-home office or sipping coffee by your window in the morning works just fine. Natural light exposure also helps improve productivity, immune system strength, mood and sleep. Especially during winter months, it’s important to get your daily dose of natural light.

Mental Benefits

And speaking of winter months, with the days getting shorter and darker, many suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. During that time of year, natural light is even more impactful on our mental health. Sunlight actually helps produce serotonin and endorphins, hormones that can significantly improve our moods. If you’re looking for a natural way to beat the winter blues, natural light is a great method to do so.

If you want to maximize natural lighting in your own home, there are a few ways to do so without any major renovations. Arrange mirrors to reflect light, move furniture as to not block windows, avoid heavy or dark drapes and keep your windows clean. You can even try light therapy or synthetic light lamps for an extra boost. No matter your method, natural light is a great way to stay happy and healthy this winter.

A Deep Dive Into Hydrotherapy

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Nancy

Across our amenity spaces at our multi-family and condominium residences, we’ve incorporated 5-star spa-grade features to encourage wellness and relaxation. At 7180 Optima Kierland and Optima Kierland Apartments, our spa amenities include everything from our outdoor cold plunge pool to the hot spa, steam room, sauna and hydrotherapy area. Hydrotherapy refers to the medicinal use of waters, from hot tubs to immersive springs, infused with minerals and aromatic oils or herbs. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into hydrotherapy, from its history to its array of health benefits.

The History of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy (also formerly referred to as hydropathy and water cure) dates all the way back to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. In Egypt, royalty bathed in essential oils and flowers, while in Rome, hydrotherapy was available to all in the form of communal public baths. China and Japan also have a recorded history of hydrotherapy techniques, with Japan most known for its hot springs, or onsen.

In more modern history, hydrotherapy was the center of a spa tourism craze in 20th century UK and Europe. U.S. hydrotherapy centers have been around since the 1840s, when they were first introduced, and have since been involved into the modern iterations we know now. One modern form of hydrotherapy is cryotherapy, or cold water immersion, used by athletes and rehab clinics. 7180 Optima Kierland and Optima Kierland Apartments both feature cold plunge pools so residents can enjoy easy access to this treatment. There are countless other modern methods of hydrotherapy, used for both medicinal and recreational purposes, spanning from hot tubs to jet pools to mineral baths and beyond.

One of the spas and cold plunges in the 7140 Tower at Optima Kierland Apartments

Health Benefits

While hydrotherapy can be enjoyed recreationally, its medical origins mean that the treatment brings with it several health benefits. It’s known to increase blood circulation, which includes the important circulation of white blood cells in the body’s immune system. In addition to enhanced circulation, it also boosts endorphin production, resulting in strengthened immune systems, reduced inflammation, the healing of injured tissues and an overall boost in energy and wellbeing. The practice is also proven to reduce pain, inflammation and stress, and to improve sleep.

Wellness and health are important to us at Optima — and we know they’re important to our residents too. Whether you’re looking for a little healing power or a day of relaxation, we’re proud to offer spa amenities at each of our communities. Stay tuned for more spotlights on our other wellness-focused amenity spaces!

Modernism and the Pandemic

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Nancy

This year, health and wellness have been more important than ever. And with self-quarantining and spending more time at home, many have redefined what a healthy home means. Like other shifts in the world, COVID-19 has certainly prompted us to reflect on the impact of design. We’ve seen how Modernism has affected pandemics in the past, but how might it impact our sense of wellness during COVID-19?

Green-Inspired Design

To house healing tuberculosis patients, the Paimio Sanatorium was designed to connect its residents to fresh air and the healing qualities of nature. While its setting in Southwestern Finland was ideal for recovery, it’s not a feasible solution for those trying to stay healthy in urban areas. Our buildings bring the outdoors in, connecting residents to nature through green roof gardens, vertical landscaping systems, private terraces and lush common spaces.

Natural Light

Sunshine is another natural remedy for ailing health problems, and the iconic expansive windows found across Modernist practices invites plenty of light inside. From Optima Signature in Chicago, to Optima Kierland Center and Optima Sonoran Village in Scottsdale, our buildings feature floor-to-ceiling glass curtain walls, swathing our interiors in light. And for those who may want to more fully soak in the sun, our outdoor amenity spaces, like the grand courtyard promenade at Optima Camelview Village, have plenty of seating amongst resort-style luxury amenities for residents to get their daily dose of Vitamin D.

Minimal and Open

Modernism is known for its minimalist design, where a lack of ornamentation, decorative moldings or elaborate trims are simplified to create a clean aesthetic. Also simplified: floor plans. Modernist architecture is known for its simple, sweeping interiors, taking a “less-is-more” approach to the division of space. At Optima, our large, open floor plans provide bigger and more open spaces, rather than a series of small rooms, allowing people to comfortably spread out and maintain a safe distance.

Whether residents are still self-isolating or just spending more time at home, we know it’s a challenging time to stay healthy and well, both mentally and physically. But we hope that the Modernist sensibilities of our buildings allow for moments of respite throughout the day and better opportunities to focus on wellness.

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Tag: wellness