“We recognize that when you think of Happy Hour, you think of other ways that you could be getting happy,” said Dr. Consuelo Wilkins, as she addressed the crowd in the gymnasium of Harris-Stowe State University at St. Louis American Foundation’s inaugural Healthy Happy Hour event.
Indeed, the phrase “Healthy Happy Hour” could be considered an oxymoron. Many health seminars are burdened with depressing statistics about disparities and crises that are prevalent in the African-American community. And there’s nothing healthy about a happy hour’s main attractions – heavy drinks and heavier food.
“When we de-stress, we go to a bar and we sit,” said yoga instructor Rebekkah Bennett.
“We eat our hot wings, our chicken fingers, have a drink and we sit. While this practice is fine episodically – when it becomes habitual – there is a problem.”
The Healthy Happy Hour event, which launched the new and expanded Your Health Matters special section, was a different story. None of the guests seemed to mind the absence of liquor, greasy eats and barstools – they welcomed the idea of change.
“It was a great alternative,” said Cheryl Beal.
“There needs to be another kind of way for you to go out in the afternoon and have a good time besides going to a bar and drinking.”
The event also celebrated the new Your Health Matters section. Thanks to a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, the section has been moved from monthly to bi-weekly. It also now has a dedicated health reporter, Sandra Jordan, working under Dr. Wilkins.
“In our new production, the keyword is your,” Dr. Wilkins said. “We want to emphasize that your health matters.”
While everyone who attended was probably well aware of the health-related obstacles faced by blacks, the Healthy Happy Hour was (just as Your Health Matters) all about positive reinforcement.
“We want you to tell your success stories so that you will be an inspiration to others,” said Jordan, the new health reporter.
“A healthy mind and body is something that we all pray for, and knowledge is power,” said Rose Robins-Troupe, mistress of ceremonies for the event.
There were no handouts, no horror stories – just upbeat conversation over appetizers about the importance of placing health at the top of the to-do list.
“I see that I’m not in this alone,” Cindy Clay said. “When you read the stories, it helps to know what other people are doing and let you know what you should be doing also.”
Heavy crowd participation made for little breathing room against the gym wall, as guests were hands-on and eager to take part in the stretching activities led by Bennett.
“Say, ‘Thank you’ to your legs for all of their hard work,” Bennett told the audience while they strained to hold a yoga pose.
While they had the opportunity to mingle and snack on healthy appetizers, most kept it moving for the entire two hours by participating in the stretching activities, an African dance demonstration with Diadie Bathily (of Afriky Lolo) and several variations of slides, including the Cupid Shuffle.
“We truly enjoyed ourselves,” Clay said. “If there was another event like this, I would not only go, but I would invite more people to come with me.”
“There was good, healthy food and all of the people seemed to have a good time,” said Beal.
“I would definitely do it again – and this time I might do the slide.”
