This weekend, we will “fall back,” and the days will get shorter and shorter. This leaves many of us missing the sunnier, warmer months, and that affects our mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects about 5% of adults annually, lasting around 40% of the calendar year. The worst months are usually January and February, but...Read More

Hey Ya’ll! Jen here. Ever have a day where you are just feeling kind of… gross? Not physically sick or anything, just icky. I do. Today is one of those days. But you can get out of that funk! Here are some things I do when I’m feeling a little “gross.” Think about what I’ve...Read More

Jen here again! One of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite) things in this world is attending concerts. The bass that pumps through your chest, the music so loud that it drowns out any and all worries you have, the way the crowds move and sing together, making you feel a part of something...Read More

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s a mantra mental health professionals use to remind you to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care is essential to maintaining balance in your life- mental and physical. “Filling up your cup” can mean many different things to many people, but the important takeaway is that you can’t...Read More

Me and my mom at Starved Rock State Park. We go every year, along with my two sisters, to honor Daniel, who passed away. Our family loves hiking! Hello everyone! My name is Jen Connelly. Many may not know this, but I write and create content for Fit St. Charles’ Facebook and Instagram, and I...Read More

Doctors recommend 7-9 hours of sleep each night for adults and 7-8 hours for older adults. Sleep is important for your physical and mental health; without proper sleep, your mind and body begin to suffer. Sleep is a regenerative period for your body, essential to any fitness journey. Here are a few reasons why sleep...Read More

Oh boy, we are already in the third month of the year. And, no, we can’t believe it’s March already, either! By now, most people who set New Year’s resolutions have long forgotten about them. In fact, about 80% of people stop trying to reach their goals before the end of January. Your gut reaction...Read More

No doubt about it, dancing is a fun way to shake up your workout routine! It’s a great way to add cardio; it allows you to use your whole body if you want to, and it can be done alone, with friends, or with your partner. But does dance affect your mental well-being, too?  Of...Read More

So often, we are in a rush while we work out. We fit exercise in the morning before work, at lunch break, or after work, before our house-related obligations begin. For many of us, it’s the only way we have time to work out, and that’s usually ok! However, taking a little more time every...Read More

Everyone should have a self-care routine. Creating a self-care plan and sticking to it helps reduce (or eliminate) anxiety and depression, minimizes frustration and anger, helps us concentrate, and makes it easier to love our entire self. It also allows us to recharge and be more present. In short, it makes us happier and sets...Read More