It’s about that time of year…when most people have forgotten their New Year’s resolutions that they so desperately wanted to stick to. In fact, according to Business Insider, 80% of people who made a resolution will fail by the second week of February.
Luckily, downtown makes it easy to keep your healthy commitments and we’ve put together a list to re-energize you before next week rolls around. Here are 5 resolutions and ways to maintain them:
Exercising More
Photo credit: Breathe, Pilates and Fitness Studio located at Ice House Studios; Instagram @justbreathehburg
If your resolution has to do with exercising more and getting in shape, downtown is the perfect place to get started. Take a yoga or pilates class at Ice House Studios, Hot Yoga, or Shenandoah Yoga. Treat yourself with a new bike or get new equipment to hit the trails from Shenandoah Bicycle Company or Rocktown Bicycles. Or, if you’re looking to run outside more and need some motivation, Bluestone Running at Agora Downtown Market has a wide selection of running shoes, athletic socks, and more to help you reach your goal. Pop in to see when their next free group run event is.
Bluestone Running at Agora Downtown Market
And, it can’t hurt to give yourself a reward after breaking a sweat. Three Notch’d Brewing Company is hosting a “Winter Bend & Brews Taproom Yoga” event on Wednesday February 10th, where for only $10, you’ll get a great workout and pint of beer afterwards. Three Notch’d hosts exercise events like this frequently, so be sure to keep an eye out for events like these in the future.
Eating Healthier
Skip the drive-through and enjoy healthier options at locally-owned eateries. PULP offers açaí bowls, smoothies, and oatmeal, and is a guaranteed great place to start your health kick. Choose a house special or make your own.
Photo credit: PULP’s Instagram, @pulpsmoothies
Check out the salads menu at many of our downtown restaurants where you’re bound to find something that makes you forget you’re eating healthy. The Little Grill Collective is also a great choice that offers many vegetarian and vegan options, with tasty, locally-sourced seasonal vegetables.
Picking Up a New Skill
If you haven’t followed through on this resolution, or want to add another resolution to your list, there’s still time to learn a new skill in 2018. Here are a few ideas:
- Hike at Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive or George Washington National Forest. You’ll find boots, socks, equipment, and expert advice for hiking at Walkabout Outfitter.
- Teach your kids about science, engineering, art, and more at the Explore More Discovery Museum at one of their weekly programs. This is a great way to spend family time as well!
- Fly fish with help from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Mossy Creek is stocked with fly fishing gear and will help guide you through your first time fly fishing.
- Paint something new at an Art Party. Every 4th Wednesday of the month, Larkin Arts teaches adults how to do a step-by-step painting at Ruby’s Arcade. Look out for the next one on February 28th.
Photo credit: PULP’s Instagram, @pulpsmoothies
Reading More
There are plenty of places for you to pick up a good book downtown!
Downtown Books offers a wide selection of books with plenty of different genres to choose from. Owner Bob Schurtz will be sure to help you find what you’re looking for.
Photo credit: PULP’s Instagram, @pulpsmoothies
If you’re looking for a unique graphic novel, zine, art book, or children’s book, head to Meridian Books and Games, located inside of Larkin Arts.
Don’t forget, Pale Fire Brewing Company has tons of books for you to choose from! Grab a beer and sit by the fire for an afternoon of reading. Or, attend one of Pale Fire’s “Books & Brews” events, where you’ll hear from your favorite authors and receive a complimentary beer. Don’t miss out on their next event on February 13th.
Getting Active in the Community
If you’re looking for ways to give back to the town that gives us so much, resolve to be more active in the downtown community.
HDR plans several annual events throughout the year, such as the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival, Valley Fourth, Friendly City Fortune, Renaissance Night, Skeleton Festival, and additional partnership events. For these events, we need all hands on deck, so you’re guaranteed to find a volunteer spot. Starting soon, HDR will offer volunteer opportunities for the following and more:
The Rocktown Beer & Music Festival will be on April 21, 2018. Sign up to volunteer!
- Promote HDR and downtown Harrisonburg at community events like First Fridays, Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival, Harrisonburg Farmers Market, etc.
- Guided Walking Tours
- Photography
- Share great photos of downtown dining, shopping, street scenes, and more taken anytime
- Event photography
- Blog Writing
- Write a story from an HDR suggested idea or pitch your own
- Design Assistance
- Assist with event posters, programs, newsletter, etc.
- Poster TeamDistribute posters to downtown locations and to key community boards around the city and county
Stay tuned with more details on our volunteer opportunities.
Good luck with your resolutions downtown!
Susie Patrick is a Marketing Intern at Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and a senior at James Madison University, where she majors in Communication Studies. She will graduate in May 2018.