Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi recognizes the importance of disease prevention and health promotion in the UAE. That is why we host a variety of wellness workshops and community events aimed at empowering our patients, employees, and the larger Abu Dhabi community to take charge of their health. Our ultimate goal is to foster a culture of wellness and healthy living in the region.
In this blog post, we will highlight some of the wellness workshops and community events that Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has conducted over the past year. From mental health talks to fitness classes to health screenings and more, we are committed to making wellness accessible to all. Our workshops and events equip participants with valuable knowledge, resources, and support systems to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Wellness Workshops:
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi regularly hosts informative workshops focused on various aspects of wellness and preventive care. Our workshops are typically one to two hours long and are led by our expert physicians, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals. They provide practical tips and advice that participants can immediately implement in their daily lives. Here are some examples of our popular wellness workshops:
Healthy Cooking Demonstrations: Our chefs and dietitians host interactive cooking demos where they teach easy recipes to make nutritious meals. Participants get to try the delicious dishes made with whole foods and learn cooking techniques to boost flavor while cutting fat, sugar, and sodium. Recipes include items like quinoa tabbouleh, grilled chicken skewers with chickpea salad, and banana oat muffins.
Beat Stress and Anxiety: In this invaluable workshop, our mental health experts teach stress management techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and cognitive restructuring. Participants gain insights into the stress response and learn healthy coping mechanisms to build resilience against anxiety and depression.
Getting Good Sleep: Many people struggle with sleep issues like insomnia and poor sleep quality. Our sleep medicine specialists provide guidance on good sleep hygiene habits, managing sleep disorders, creating an ideal sleep environment, and more. Participants leave with practical strategies for achieving restful, restorative sleep.
Ergonomics and Office Health: For office professionals sitting for long hours, we demonstrate ergonomic principles to set up a workspace that prevents repetitive injuries and strains. Our physical therapists also lead desk exercises to do throughout the workday to boost circulation and relieve aches and pains.
Child and Baby First Aid: This crucial workshop teaches parents and caregivers how to handle medical emergencies with infants and children, including burns, choking, and allergic reactions. Participants get hands-on practice with techniques like CPR, bandaging, and use of pediatric defibrillators.
Community Exercise Classes:
In addition to wellness workshops, we offer various community exercise classes at our facility. These are led by our fitness experts and allow community members to stay active in a fun, engaging environment. Our classes are open to participants of all ages and fitness levels. Some of the classes we offer include:
- Yoga flow
- High intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Gentle tai chi
- Aqua aerobics
- Zumba
- Pilates
- Strength training
We provide all the necessary equipment like yoga mats, resistance bands, and weights. Our instructors demonstrate proper form and provide modifications to accommodate different abilities. Class sizes are kept small to allow for individual attention. Participants leave having gained strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. These classes support the holistic wellbeing of residents of Abu Dhabi.
Health Screenings:
Early detection of medical conditions gives the best chance for successful treatment and recovery. That’s why Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers free health screenings periodically to the local community. These screenings are administered by our nursing staff and include:
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Vision tests
- Dental exam
- Skin cancer screening
Our screenings reach populations who may not routinely access primary care. We can identify issues like high cholesterol, arrhythmias, impaired vision, cavities, and abnormal skin growths. Then we connect these patients to our world-class specialists for proper medical care. Through our health screenings, we can diagnose problems in early stages when they are most treatable.
Special Community Events:
In addition to regular wellness workshops and classes, we host grand community events at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi at key times throughout the year. These engage thousands of attendees with important health and wellbeing messages in interactive, appealing ways. Some examples include:
Healthy Ramadan: During the holy month of Ramadan, we provide an event with glucose and blood pressure testing, nutrition advice, stress management tips, and giveaways to support the community in staying healthy while fasting.
Beat the Heat: Before the scorching summer months, we educate people on preventing heat exhaustion, staying hydrated, applying sunscreen, adapting outdoor exercise routines, and spotting signs of heat stroke. We distribute water bottles, hats, and electrolyte packets.
Family Health Fair: At this fun community carnival, we offer game booths and activities each focused on a health topic like hand washing, heart health, emergency preparedness, and more. Kids and parents alike learn while playing games and enjoying time together.
Walk for Wellness: We organize a 3K charity walk along the Corniche beachfront promenade to promote walking for exercise within the UAE. Participants receive pedometers while fundraising proceeds support our wellness programs.
Start Right Nutrition Month: During September, we amplify nutrition information across all our platforms. We distribute Produce Prescriptions with underserved families guiding them to eat more fruits and vegetables. Our cafeteria highlights healthy seasonal foods.
Year-end Wellness Challenge: As people contemplate New Year’s resolutions, we provide a friendly month-long wellness challenge tracking nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health goals. Participants earn rewards and prizes while building healthy habits.
Impact on the Community:
Our diverse range of wellness workshops, exercise classes, health screenings, and community events have made a significant positive impact across Abu Dhabi over the past year. Here are some key metrics demonstrating our outreach:
- 12,000+ workshop and class participants
- 3,500+ health screening recipients
- 18,500+ attendees at special community events
- 10+ tons of fresh produce distributed to families
- $75,000 raised through charity walk donations
Beyond these quantitative measures, we have also received glowing qualitative feedback from the community. Through surveys and testimonials, participants report adopting healthier eating patterns, losing weight, quitting smoking, managing chronic conditions, achieving fitness goals, and much more. Many remark how our programs provided the education, skills, and motivation they needed to truly improve their health. We are proud to play such an instrumental role in spreading wellness across Abu Dhabi.
Looking Ahead:
This past year was just the beginning. Looking ahead, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi remains highly devoted to elevating the health of our community through preventive care. We are constantly expanding our wellness offerings and enhancing our programs based on participant feedback and the latest medical evidence. We aim to reach even more people with messages and resources to lead healthier lives.
If you are in the Abu Dhabi area, we hope you will participate in our upcoming workshops, classes, screenings, and community events. Please visit our website at ClevelandClinicAbuDhabi.ae to see the full schedule. We look forward to seeing you soon as we continue building a culture of wellness in the UAE!
