Breathe in, breathe out

Taking a mental health day in Lexington

Finding peace can be as easy as stepping outside.| Photo by @maxcaswellphotos

We all deserve to take a day to ourselves every once in a while. If you’re feeling less productive, anxious, and stressed out, you might need to take a mental health day.

Just like a sick day when our bodies are under the weather, taking a mental health day allows for a day of rest for our mental well-being.

Here are some ways you can recharge and reset in Lexington.

🌬️ Get some fresh air

Take advantage of the springy temps by enjoying a hike over one of Lexington’s parks, trails, and nature reserves. Wait until the city is in bloom and take a flower walk through the Arboretum or Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.

Looking for something less strenuous? Grab a book or some close friends and sit outside at a local park. During the summer, pick up some food and have a picnic.

🎨 Do something creative

Find something that inspires you or something you haven’t done before to experience creative freedom. Check out a craft class with Cut and Paste Craft Studio, sign up for a writing or poetry workshop with the Carnegie Center, or paint your own pottery at The Mad Potter.

💪 Get in a workout

It can be difficult to stay active during the work week, so taking some time to get your body moving can be a great way to utilize your mental health day. If you’re looking to really break a sweat, try out one of Lexington’s fitness studios like CycleYOU or Studio 11. Yoga is also a relaxing option — find classes through Wildfire Yoga.

Looking for additional information or resources about mental health? The city of Lexington has a list of local resources for counseling, support groups, and a crisis response team.

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Wednesday, Feb. 15

Alexander’s Library: Paintings and Art Books by Kathleen O’Brien | Wednesday, Feb. 15-Wednesday, March 29 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Eastside Branch, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | Stop by to browse the colorful work of Mercer County artist Kathleen O’Brien.
Gardening with Chickens | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Good Foods Co-op, 455 Southland Dr., Lexington | $7-$10 | Learn what kinds of plants are good for chickens, how chickens can help your garden, and techniques for protecting your plants from scratching and pecking.

Thursday, Feb. 16

UK Women’s Choir & Choristers feat. Blue Note | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Singletary Concert Hall, 405 Rose St., Lexington | $4-$10 | See the UK Women’s Choir & Choristers with Blue Note perform in their American Choral Directors Association preview concert.

Friday, Feb. 17

Jessie Baylin | Friday, Feb. 17 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $17 | One dollar of every ticket will be donated to EqualizeHer, an organization that aims to get equal representation for women across all aspects of the music industry.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Abettor Brewing Brunch | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Abettor Brewing Company Depot Street, 128 North Highland St., Winchester | Price of purchase | Enjoy a delicious brunch from Bells on Wheels plus mimosa flights and a bloody mary bar.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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Today our parent company, 6AM City, is celebrating a birthday! To celebrate, we want you to be a part of our newsletter membership program.

The LEXtoday membership program will be rolling out member shoutouts in our newsletters, and members will have the opportunity to submit shoutouts such as celebrations, births, engagements, anniversaries, and more. 🎉

Other membership perks include special birthday shoutouts + discounts to our local shop, Six and Main.

Now is the time to start taking advantage of these awesome benefits.

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Weather

72º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain

Edu

The Fayette County Board of Education approved a $3.1 million land purchase in Masterson Station. The 14-acre lot will accommodate an elementary school and potential middle school, though the purchase must first receive final approval from the Kentucky Department of Education. (The Lane Report)

Plan Ahead

The Gatton College and PNC Bank will host the 2023 PNC Innovation Summit on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Friday’s PNC Innovation Conference will teach business owners to stay flexible, while Saturday’s pitch competition will award $20,000 to undergrads and graduate students with vision. Think “Shark Tank.”

Arts

Did you know that 15 of the first 27 Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys were African American? Learn more at “Black Horsemen of the Kentucky Turf,” a new exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse about the successes of formerly enslaved jockeys, and their impact on the Kentucky Derby as we know it today. (LEX18)

Health

You are what you eat. That’s why the University of Kentucky’s new “Food as Health Alliance” will connect community partners + producers with clinical research to “improve Kentuckians’ health and patient clinical outcomes,” according to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Jobs

Spring is right around the corner. And what’s right around the corner from that? Pool season. Lexington Parks & Recreation posted open positions for everything from lifeguards, to concessions managers, to aquatic fitness instructors in preparation for those poolside days.

Shop

We love our furry friends, so it’s a good thing Love Your Pet Day is Monday, Feb. 20. Celebrate your beloved pet with this “Out of this World” bandana from Hannah Chloe Co. That’s something worth barking about. 🐾

Home

Seeing higher energy bills, LEX? Cold weather can mean more energy use + higher bills. Want to learn how to lower your household’s energy use? Duke Energy has the answers to your most frequently asked questions about saving energy during cold weather (hint: it’s easier than you think). ❄️ *

Number

55°. That’s the optimal temperature for storing wine. So unless you enjoy keeping your humble abode chilled year round, we recommend buying a wine fridge to foster favorable conditions for long-term aging. Our pick: this sleek wine fridge with touch-panel control and capacity for 24 bottles. Cheers. 🍷 *

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Lexington’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The rundown on Lexington’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan

Lexington, Kentucky's skyline with a sunset of blues, reds, and oranges

Affordable housing can mean many things, so we’re breaking down what it means for Lexington. | Photo by @femibranded

Imagine Lexington, a department within Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s (LFUCG) Division of Planning, is hosting a public hearing this Thursday, Nov. 30 to discuss the final draft of the 2045 Comprehension Plan.

Imagine Lexington 2045 will help lay out Lexington’s long-term growth and development focusing on five major themes:

Supporting neighborhoods through affordable housing developments + potential redevelopment opportunities.
Expanding environmental regulations by tracking + reducing LFUCG’s carbon footprint and implementing sustainable-focused policies.
Creating job growth by bolstering opportunities for the agricultural industry + encouraging entrepreneurship.
Making Lexington more desirable through improved transportation access + walkability, preservation of historical sites, and a review of parking policies.

The Planning Commission will vote on the adoption of this plan at Thursday’s hearing. Join the conversation by heading to the Government Center, 200 East Main St., at 1:30 p.m.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Dayten.

Editor’s pick: Heads up, parents. Lexington Parks & Recreation announced that camp sign-ups have been pushed back to next Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. Bookmark this page to come back to.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? You told us your Lexington love stories.

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Editorial: Molly Thompson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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