When temperatures drop, so can our healthy habits Published Sept. 11, 2025 By Lisa M. Riley WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Temperatures have dropped unusually early this season, with some mornings dipping into the 40s. Turning the clocks back is only a few weeks away, and the surge of pumpkin spice ‘everything’ is a sure sign that fall is just around the corner. If darker, cooler temps have you feeling unmotivated, you aren’t alone. Skipping your morning run for a few extra taps on the snooze button or curling up under a warm blanket with a bowl of mac and cheese may feel (and taste) good in the moment, but the effects are only temporary. In the long term these behaviors can have negative effects on both mental and physical health. “As days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many individuals experience a decrease in physical activity, shifts in eating habits, and a dip in mood - often referred to as the “winter blues.” according to Mandie Holovach, civilian wellness program manager. Airman Talal El-Ameen-Lee from the 88th Air Base Wing Communications Squadron recently moved to Ohio from Louisiana and is preparing for a colder winter. He admits that in addition to needing additional layers to keep warm he tends to sleep in longer in the cooler months. Avoid the urge to hibernate by taking advantage of the many resources offered on Wright-Patt so you not only survive through the season change but thrive. Hit the Gym Been out of the gym game for a while? Need to shake up your normal routine? Want to start a fitness routine but not sure how? Not a problem! No matter your fitness level or experience, the base fitness centers have something for everyone. Stop by the front desk of any fitness center and talk to the staff, they are happy to give you an introduction to the facility and can provide up to three free equipment orientations according to Howard Ingall-Trejo, fitness sports operations manager for Dodge and Jarvis Fitness Centers. “All of us are willing to help,” added recreational specialist Zachary Moore. There are three fitness centers on Wright-Patt: Wright Field Fitness Center on Area B is located at the corner of 10th and C Streets. Staffed from 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 5 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fridays, and 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, holidays and goal days. Accessible 24 hours a day by pre-registering your card at the information desk. Dodge Gym (Area A) is located on Lahm Circle next to the Wright-Patt Club. Staffed from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. Accessible 24 hours a day by pre-registering your card at the information desk. Dodge Gym Pool is open for lap and recreational swimming Monday 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., and Friday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Jarvis Fitness Center (Area A/Kitty Hawk) is located on Ash Street behind the Pitsenbarger Dining Facility. Staffed from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. Accessible 24 hours a day by pre-registering your card at the information desk. All base fitness centers are open to DoD ID card holders. By pre-registering your ID card, you can access the facilities 24/7—making it easy to work out on your own schedule. Whether you are into weightlifting, cardio, fitness classes, or a pickup game of basketball you can find it all at the gyms. Dodge Fitness Center also offers racquetball courts and a Family Functional Fitness Area with a safe area for young children to play while mom or dad workout. The Family Functional Fitness area is available by reservation only, contact the gym to reserve your space. If you aren’t interested in lacing up, Dodge Fitness Center has an indoor lap pool that is a popular option, especially for those looking to engage in a low-impact cardio activity. Team sports are also offered with intramural volleyball and basketball programs. Sign up your unit as a team or register as an individual to be placed on a team. Senior Airman Gage McDonald, 88th Communication Squadron, jumps to block a shot by Chief Master Sgt. Keelye Coffin, Air Force Materiel Command first sergeant, during a volleyball game August 20, 2025, between Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 25-F and a group of chief master sergeants and first sergeants at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The match is a tradition for each class at the school giving the younger Airmen and Guardians an opportunity to work as a team and a chance to talk with the senior enlisted Airmen in an informal setting. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Cold temperatures don’t mean you have to hibernate – let the cold inspire you with these free upcoming fun runs open to all DoD ID card holders: Zombie Chase, October 17 at Bass Lake. Don’t be frightened by the name, this 5K fun run/walk is suitable for all ages. Turkey Trot, November 20. In addition to the family-friendly 5K, there are opportunities to enter a free raffle for prizes. Feeling festive? Dress up in your favorite Thanksgiving themed costume. Save time after the race to enjoy pumpkin pie and cider. Follow the base fitness centers on Facebook for announcements and updates at @WrightPattFitness. Civilian Health Promotion Services Civilian Health Promotion Services (CHPS) is a free worksite wellness program designed to support Department of the Air Force civilian employees that can offer free resources to help you stay ahead of these seasonal shifts including wellness screenings, health education, and virtual support tools according to Holovach. Cardiac Risk Profile testing, body composition analysis and skin analysis are among the free screenings that are offered. Health education classes are available in-person and virtually on topics such as nutrition, sleep and stress management. Screenings are available for walk-ins 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. Screening on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are by appointment only. Visit the Wright-Patt CHPS office in the Wright Field Fitness Center on Area B at 2690 C Street, Bldg 571, Room 157 or call 937-904-9359. If accountability is a motivator for you, sign up for one (or more!) of their Wellness Challenges. The CHPS online portal is available 24/7 for health tools, video library, virtual/in-person training, and the Health Risk Assessment (HRA)—a personalized tool that identifies health risks and offers resources to improve overall wellness. It syncs with fitness apps and wearables, helps set daily goals, and allows you to build support networks with coworkers. Visit USAFWellness.com to learn more. There is strength in numbers, and you don’t have to go alone! Get your coworkers in on the action by bringing CHPS to you. They offer free on-site services including health screenings and educational classes tailored to your organization’s needs. CHPS also now offers support by calling 937-200-CHPS (2477) from 7 a.m. –7 p.m. and is a great companion to the USAF Wellness Portal. This line provides direct access to wellness resources and serves as a helpful tool for continued support. Despite the name, CHPS is not exclusively available to civilian employees, they also offer free health education classes that are open to both military and civilian personnel. For active-duty members, Health Promotion programs focus on physical readiness, injury prevention, and maintaining healthy body composition. For more information about all of their services, contact CHPS by calling 937-200-CHPS (2477), emailing DAF.CivilianWellness@us.af.mil or visiting https://www.resilience.af.mil/Workforce-Resource/. Boost your resiliency Isolation tends to increase during colder months, so finding ways to stay socially engaged, whether through workplace events, virtual meetups, or volunteering, can make a big difference in overall well-being, according to Holovach. Located on Area A, the Wright-Patt Integrated Resilience Office (IRO) strives to build and sustain a resilient community that fosters mental, physical, social, and spiritual fitness. They are available to organizations and individuals to help Airmen and their families withstand, recover from, and grow through adversity with comprehensive, focused health & wellness initiatives, and support. Contact the IRO to learn more about available classes and resources. The Resiliency Center is located on Area A, Building 219, Rm. 221, 5030 Pearson Road. They can be reached by calling 937-904-0992 or email at 88ABW.CVB.IntegratedPrevention@us.af.mil. Additional Force Support Squadron activities The Wright-Patt Tennis Club on Area A is a membership club offering four indoor tennis courts and four indoor pickleball courts. Members also have access to participation in leagues, tournaments and group or private lessons. Follow them on Facebook @WPTennisClub or call 937-257-7248 for membership information and hours. Wright-Patt Kitty Hawk Lanes is open to DoD ID card holders and their families, offering 20 lanes of bowling, a snack bar and pro shop. They host a variety of special events and leagues. Follow them on Facebook @KittyHawkBowling or call 937-257-7796 for hours and pricing. Follow the 88th Force Support Squadron on Facebook @88FSS for information on additional events such as bingo nights, trivia, First Friday events and more. Quick Tips Holovach offers these quick tips to shake off the urge to hibernate and boost your mental and physical resiliency: Get outside during daylight hours to boost mood and vitamin D Stick to a regular sleep schedule to support mental clarity Choose seasonal produce for nutritious meals Join a wellness challenge to stay motivated and accountable Practice mindfulness or gratitude journaling to reduce stress Bottom line: when changing weather saps your motivation it can also impact your health. Wright-Patt offers a variety of resources to ensure that you have the tools to stay mentally and physically resilient all year round.