Category Archives: Recreation

Mental health: where the gym comes in handy

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Delta Digital News Service

Monday, May 1, 2024

By Brayden Morse | Contributor

JONESBORO, Ark–Beyond the weights and treadmills lies a place not just for physical health, but for mental health too. 

Many people tell wonderful stories about how they got into the gym and how it benefited their mental health, along with work life. A citizen of Craighead County, Elizabeth Almanza, explained what got her into the gym as well as how her mental health was affected because of the gym.

“I started going to the gym mainly to lose weight, and I was already on antidepressants and anxiety medicine. I started getting better as far as physically and mentally it has helped me. I’m not on any of those medicines (antidepressants and anxiety medicine) anymore. It’s definitely a stress reliever. I love the physical aspect of it, but it’s mainly mental for me,” Almanza said.

She went on to discuss how the gym impacts her work life.

“It definitely helps me stay focused at work because I do let out a lot of stress at the gym. If things are bothering me at work, I come to the gym. I work out then go back to work and it’s better,” Almanza said.

According to an article by KARK, Arkansas ranks fifth as most overweight & obese state in study | KARK and Most Overweight and Obese Cities in the U.S. in 2024 article by WalletHub in 2024, Arkansas ranks fifth as most overweight and obese state in the United States. 

Heidi Rigsbee, a health, physical education and sports sciences professor from Arkansas State University with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in exercise science, bachelor’s in dietetics and certified exercise physiologist, explained how people can set realistic goals and maintain their goals once achieved.

“Exercise is a use it or lose it concept. If you’re not going to continue to do the behaviors that got you to the point you wanted to be, then you will regress or your body will go back to its previous self. I think reminding people that it takes long-term consistency to have the positive adaptations that take place in exercise is the key,” Rigsbee said. 

She also explained how the gym benefits your mental health.

“Exercise is probably one of the most underutilized and under prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine. That goes all to the endocrine system and what’s happening with your endorphins and your dopamine. Exercise releases all of those feel good hormones, just like a drug would do. It’s a natural way to help mental health,” Rigsbee said.

Lots of people who are new to the gym or do not know how to work out properly, rely on a personal trainer to help achieve their goals. Without the trainer’s help, people can lose motivation and a sense of direction within their fitness goals. 

A 10 Fitness personal trainer and former Arkansas State and NFL tight end, Darion Griswold, explained how he keeps his clients motivated to reach their goals.

“Making sure everybody is seeing the gains. Making sure I’m tailored to what my clients want and members want. Getting feedback from them. Making it a safe environment for everybody. Going to the gym is already hard enough. Finding 30 minutes out of the day (to workout) is important for overall health and for the mind in general. Showing people that gym time will pay off over time,” Griswold said. 

Griswold also shared his thoughts on citizens of Arkansas setting realistic goals to achieve, when there is a high obese rate in the state. 

“Everybody wants the fast results. I’m not saying that can’t happen but you have to put in the work, eat right, hydrate your body right and get enough sleep. The average person in Arkansas works a lot of hours so gym is something that is in the back of their mind. Everybody has kids and priorities. Once you make that gym life a priority of yours, that’s when you’ll notice the gains and difference in weight loss. It’s giving people more to look forward to,” Griswold said.

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Brayden Morse

Brayden Morse is a junior in the multimedia journalism program in the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He can be reached at brayden.morse@smail.astate.edu.

NOTE: Feature photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

PHOTO: Labor Day Fun

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Residents flock to Craighead Forest Park for R&R

Delta Digital News Service

Joshua Pruett | Contributor

Sept. 6, 2021

JONESBORO, Ark. – With COVID cases still high and the pandemic in full bloom, people flock to Craighead Forest Park for Labor Day fun on the lake. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service

Photo Gallery | FUN AT THE LAKE

  • Jackie Jones enjoys kayaking on Labor Day with family members at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • From left, Alexandria Cole, Tim Jones, and Jackie Jones enjoy kayaking on Labor Day at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Tim Jones enjoys kayaking on Labor Day with family members at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service
  • Family members kayak at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. Joshua Pruett/Delta Digital News Service

WATER VOLLEYBALL COMING TO THE POCAHONTAS AQUARIUM

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By Christine Miyawa
Delta Digital News Service

POCAHONTAS – The department of parks and recreation will, in mid-Spring, begin a water volleyball league for both men and women at the aquarium located at the Pocahontas Community Center.

Parks and Recreation Officer Mark Turner said during a city council meeting on February 11 he was in the initial planning stages of forming the league. He said the committee would hold monthly meetings from 5 p.m. at the center to work on getting more members to join.

“We will have schedules and hopefully, we will have four teams to compete in the league. Come the next city council meeting; I will have more rules for the park and recreation committee to review,” Turner said.

He said there would be league fees to help pay for officials and referees. However, the city council will fund the purchase of other equipment.

During the meeting, Councilman Wayne Broadway suggested that Turner look at gym equipment Gary Snow, the owner of a local gym, proposed to sell to the Pocahontas Aquarium.

Snow said he was ready to dispose of the gym equipment at a quarter the cost of new equipment.

Women engage the outdoors at Craighead Forest Park

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosted the first Becoming an Outdoors Woman event at Craighead Forest Park where participants learned about the workshop, upcoming events and kayaking.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, more than 60% of U.S. women do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity. The CDC’s website suggests providing community-based programs and environmental inducements that meet the needs of all women.

The BOW program focuses on providing opportunities for women to learn skills such as cleaning deer, harvesting edible plants, nature observation, setting up game cameras, archery, quail hunting, canoeing, hiking, fishing, trapping, mountain biking and more.

“We just want to get people outdoors and enjoy it outdoors,” State Coordinator Lea Gray said.

Gray discussed safety protocols regarding life jackets for kids and adults, kayak size, adjustable equipment, proper paddle use and rowing techniques. She also informed the group on what to expect if the kayak flips over.

“Lightness of the kayak is important for women. I recommend falling out of it in a calm river so you’ll know what to do when it happens. Don’t ever get between the kayak and flowing water. Don’t get pinned,” Gray said.

Heather Custer, a biological sciences major and graduate student at Arkansas State University, said she decided to buy a kayak because her work in the Ozark National Forest needed some fun.

“I have flipped over before, so I came to get more tips and pointers. My friend Amanda told me about the group. I think it’s awesome to get women out here doing stuff together. While the men do their outdoorsy stuff, we’re not feeling left out,” Custer said.

Amanda Dunavant, volunteer for KLEK 102.5 FM, said she has always been interested in the outdoors. She grew up on the riverbank hunting and fishing. In her spare time, she kayaks with her sister-in-law at Spring River.

“Kayaking isn’t just a male sport. It’s a female sport too. Also, emergency awareness and preparedness is my title. People think emergencies are just tornadoes and earthquakes. It is not. It is everyday life. We are preparing for an emergency that we don’t want to be in the middle of and to be safe on the water,” Dunavant said.

Lee Elkins, Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center educator and coordinator of the Women Outdoor Network in Northeast Arkansas, said this event was the first in Jonesboro.

“We’re just getting started. Any woman that wants to be apart of a group of women who go outdoors or needs a buddy to go with, you can find one in this group,” Elkins said.

Women can learn about the permit system for game and fish and more at the Ozark Natural Science Center in Huntsville in November.

A maximum of 140 women may register for BOW.

7 Tips for Improving ‘Battlefield 1’ Multiplayer

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by Christopher Lee
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – The multiplayer mode in “Battlefield 1” supplies a perfect jumping-on point for newcomers to the series, but it is a harsh and unforgiving place.

If you’re not careful, it will punish your every mistake. To help new players who may struggle in their first days, I’ve compiled a list of seven tips to improve your time in “Battlefield 1.” Following these helpful tips will help you begin your first games knowing what to do.

1. Have Fun

This may seem obvious to many, so this is less of a tip and more of a reminder.  Games are meant to be fun and as you play, it is important to remember this. Strive to maximize the fun everyone is having.

2. Play the Objective

As you play “Battlefield 1” multiplayer, you will hear players telling each other to PTFO. I can’t break down the acronym and keep this list child-friendly, but I can tell you it means play the objective.

From a game-play perspective, this tip will help you the most. “Playing the objective” means doing what is necessary to win. This varies from mode to mode but playing the objective benefits you and your team. You will gain experience and help lead your team to victory.

So capture flags, sectors or even pigeons and you will see the experience pour in.

3. Learn Your Class and When to Switch

Knowing the ins and outs of all the classes is important for successful teamwork in a class-based shooter like “Battlefield 1.” Learning how each class works, when they are needed and how to be effective with each takes time. So pick one class to start and play the class till it reaches level three.

At level three, the class is basically complete minus one item gained at level 10. After reaching level three, move to a new class and repeat the cycle. As stated before, know when a class is needed, e.g. if your team is constantly dying, it would benefit from another medic more than a sniper.

4. Communicate

Communication provides the key to victory, both in history and in “Battlefield” multiplayer.

It is easy to communicate even if you don’t have access to a microphone. “Battlefield 1” contains a built-in text chat used to give information and commands. Keep your team informed about important events happening at your location.

5. Map Awareness

Pay attention to the map and you will never be surprised by any developments again. The map contains an assortment of information: enemy locations, objective statuses and useful equipment.

Keeping an eye on the map allows the team to quickly react to changes in the flow of battle. The faster you react, the faster you can win.

6. Vehicles and When to Use Them

Vehicles can be powerful assets. They can easily sway the battle in your favor, but don’t be too eager to get behind the wheel of history’s first tanks. While they are powerful, vehicles only allow you to level up the special vehicle classes.

I advise you wait to play vehicles until you’ve reached at least level three with all your classes. That said: if you believe a vehicle could possibly save your team and no one else will take the responsibility, then do it.

7. Don’t Quit

This is the last tip I have and it’s pretty simple. Don’t quit unless you absolutely must.

No matter how bad things are going, always stick it out to the very end. Not only does quitting hurt your team (causing teams to be unbalanced until someone takes your place), but it hurts you as well.

At the end of each round, a score multiplier provides large sums of experience you will need to level up. Leveling up gains you “war bonds,” which you use to unlock new weapons and equipment.

Quitting also prevents you from acquiring Battlepacks, which are randomly awarded to players at the end of each round. They contain weapon skins that act as cosmetic enhancements to individual weapons. Weapon skins allow players to stand out in the multiplayer.

Quitting for something important is understandable. No penalty exists for quitting, so go right ahead; but don’t quit just because your team is losing.

Theses tips come from years of “Battlefield” game experience. I can assure you these tips have secured many victories and will never let you down. To see all these tips in action, watch the playlist below where I go through one of the operation matches in “Battlefield 1.”