Neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's are becoming increasingly prevalent. Alzheimers is the 6th leading cause of death and the only one in the top 10 without a cure. So when LifeWorks wellness resort in Montana approached me to experience their program focused on brain health, I was more than a little intrigued. Headed by Dr. Rob Velin, a neuropsychologist and former research professor at University of California San Diego, and based strictly on science and research-driven programs, LifeWorks’ mission is to help their VIPs lead healthier lives, specifically by increasing and protecting their brain health.
The program focuses on 7 pillars: Advising (life coaching), Adventure (exploration and activities leveraging the natural surroundings), Conditioning (fitness), Movement (yoga, mindfulness, meditation), Nutrition, Neurofeedback and Virtual Reality/Mixed Reality (to increase neuroplasticity and manage stress). This holistic approach to wellness provides the tools for the intervention and prevention of neurological diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The program focuses on 7 pillars: Advising (life coaching), Adventure (exploration and activities leveraging the natural surroundings), Conditioning (fitness), Movement (yoga, mindfulness, meditation), Nutrition, Neurofeedback and Virtual Reality/Mixed Reality (to increase neuroplasticity and manage stress). This holistic approach to wellness provides the tools for the intervention and prevention of neurological diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The program itself is extensive and includes a one week on-site visit followed by 2 weeks of intensive off-site support, one week of transition where you have the opportunity to take charge of implementation with less-frequent check-ins from the LifeWorks team, and then an additional 48 weeks of continuous follow-up to ensure you are maximizing your learnings from your time at the wellness resort. I found this to be refreshing because I can easily follow a plan when I’m immersed in a program without any external factors. The challenge for sustainability arises when I return home and have to continue the implementation on my own in the midst of my hectic schedule. The robust support from each of the LifeWorks team members, whether via a phone call or email, ensures that I can continue to experience the benefits of my learning long after I’ve left Montana.
I started my visit with a session with Melissa, my Life Advisor. Melissa’s role was to help me understand the risks and protective factors for neurological diseases while acting as my focal point for all the pillars. The 9 main risk factors include physical inactivity, obesity, Type II Diabetes, heart disease, poor sleep, poor nutrition, cognitive inactivity (what I see as an idle mind), stress, and anxiety/depression. Melissa also helped me better understand how to find balance in my life, discuss the stressors and roadblocks I may have to achieving greater balance and helped me develop solutions for mitigating those stressors. I then rotated daily through sessions with my personal trainer Paul, my Movement coach Jackie, and my neurofeedback coach Mendy. I also was able to have a 1:1 session with the chef and nutrition coach Peg to discuss any challenges I have around healthy eating, meal planning, and the MIND Diet which is what the cuisine at LifeWorks is based on (with some creative alterations from Chef Peg for eliminating inflammatory foods which are proven risks for Alzheimer’s and dementia).
Daily sessions with Mendy focused on increasing neuroplasticity through neurofeedback. With electrodes attached to the top of my head and each earlobe, I was "playing" what looked like a video game but was a graphic representation of my brain waves. Mendy set guidelines through her software of how hard to make my brain work with reinforcing sounds and images. I was fascinated at how I could carry on a conversation or even have my eyes closed for the session and I was still "training my brain". The really impressive fact was that the new threshold of brain activity was not degenerative-it doesn't go back to your baseline function even if you do no further neurofeedback sessions!
I even got a taste of the virtual reality system, which right now is fairly primitive but within months will be updated to a much more robust system of augmented reality on 4D screens which will really help clients relieve stress by quickly transporting them to more serene environments. LifeWorks also plans to eventually create a mobile application to allow you to plug into your new "happy place" at any time, creating a sense of calm almost immediately regardless of how stressful your home or work space may be.
The difference between the activities at LifeWorks and those you may find at other wellness resorts is that each one is specifically tied to brain health and the coaches spend ample time helping you understand how what you are doing reduces the risk of neurological diseases.
Daily sessions with Mendy focused on increasing neuroplasticity through neurofeedback. With electrodes attached to the top of my head and each earlobe, I was "playing" what looked like a video game but was a graphic representation of my brain waves. Mendy set guidelines through her software of how hard to make my brain work with reinforcing sounds and images. I was fascinated at how I could carry on a conversation or even have my eyes closed for the session and I was still "training my brain". The really impressive fact was that the new threshold of brain activity was not degenerative-it doesn't go back to your baseline function even if you do no further neurofeedback sessions!
I even got a taste of the virtual reality system, which right now is fairly primitive but within months will be updated to a much more robust system of augmented reality on 4D screens which will really help clients relieve stress by quickly transporting them to more serene environments. LifeWorks also plans to eventually create a mobile application to allow you to plug into your new "happy place" at any time, creating a sense of calm almost immediately regardless of how stressful your home or work space may be.
The difference between the activities at LifeWorks and those you may find at other wellness resorts is that each one is specifically tied to brain health and the coaches spend ample time helping you understand how what you are doing reduces the risk of neurological diseases.
Sprinkled throughout the week are opportunities for adventure in the surrounding areas. Going off on adventures allows you to integrate all your learning about brain health with experiences that not only showcase the beauty of the area but also have a direct impact on your wellness. Being in nature enhances your mood, creates a sense of calm, increases energy, reduces stress and provides an overall feeling of happiness. During my stay at LifeWorks, I was able to explore a nearby working ranch, hike the Crazy Mountains (there’s a story behind it-ask me next time you see me!), and have time to just BE with and in nature. The LifeWorks team was on hand to guide, answer questions and even provide a healthy snack. Montana is know for outdoor activities in both the summer and winter months so the adventures are geared to the season. Summer offers hiking, rafting, fly fishing and mountain biking. Winter brings opportunities for snow shoeing, skiing, and more. Throughout the year, LifeWorks will bring in experts to conduct cultural presentations and workshops which reflect the people and history of the state. These Fireside Chats after dinner will allow VIPs to learn about the region and socialize with their fellow travelers.
Speaking of the LifeWorks team, they are the not only incredibly knowledgeable but also the most nurturing people you will ever meet. LifeWorks calls their guests VIPs and they take this moniker very seriously. The 15,000 sf resort has only 8 guest rooms which means the 16 people max have the full attention of the entire staff. There are various spaces throughout the lodge and the grounds which encourage quiet reflection, including the sunroom, library loft and the rooms with a balcony. Everyone at LifeWorks goes above and beyond to ensure that each VIP is catered to and that their stay is personalized to meet their needs. The program is intended to remain a small group experience, focusing on ideally 8 VIPs at a time, so LifeWorks can continue to provide the high levels of personalized service to each VIP.
During my time at LifeWorks, there were only 6 VIPs in residence. We met for meals in the cozy dining room, shared stories on the outdoor deck with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, and carried on discussions during the Fireside Chat where Dr. Velin further shared the risk factors for neurological diseases and the importance of brain health. During our short stay, we became family with each other as well as the LifeWorks team. The extensive pre-arrival discussions ensured that my visit was highly customized to my preferences. Chef Peg and Chef Mark were made aware of my love for smoothies at lunch time and ensured they created a tantalizing treat each day made only of the healthiest and freshest ingredients. Paul knew I despised gym workouts so he did his best to suggest walks on property or doing my lunges in the fresh air in lieu of the gym. I had discussed my lack of success with yoga nidra as a relaxation technique so Jackie introduced me to restorative yoga practice that is now my new found obsession! I could go on and on about how each team member is in tune to your needs and anticipates your preferences. When I was in information overload one day, Mendy thoughtfully suggested she bring my shake to my room and rearrange my schedule so I could have some quiet time to reflect and absorb everything I had learned. I was deeply touched by her gesture!
Overall, my visit to LifeWorks was incredible. I learned so much about neurological wellness and what I can do to keep my brain healthy over the long term. The LifeWorks lodge is set on 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The meals are delectable and the service top notch. What I loved about this wellness resort was that in addition to the usual fitness, yoga and mindfulness programs, I’m doing something proactive to increase my brain health which will have long-term affects on healthy aging.
Research has shown that we are going to live well into our 90s. We’re all spending so much time strengthening our bodies that we’ve neglected to strengthen our minds. The goal is to have a mind-body balance so we can not only be physically fit but also be mentally alert as we age so our bodies don't outlive our minds. The onset of symptoms for neurological disorders can take 20-30 years to appear-the earlier we address our brain health and build neuroplasticity, the greater our chances to have a better quality of life. With the LifeWorks program, you can "vacation with a purpose" and do just that.
Research has shown that we are going to live well into our 90s. We’re all spending so much time strengthening our bodies that we’ve neglected to strengthen our minds. The goal is to have a mind-body balance so we can not only be physically fit but also be mentally alert as we age so our bodies don't outlive our minds. The onset of symptoms for neurological disorders can take 20-30 years to appear-the earlier we address our brain health and build neuroplasticity, the greater our chances to have a better quality of life. With the LifeWorks program, you can "vacation with a purpose" and do just that.
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