Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart Friday, April 3, 2020 The world is a very different place than it was just a few weeks ago. As we adapt to our new routines, we are pushed outside of our comfort zones and forced to confront this new reality. We have a lot on our minds these days, and it is okay not to know how to react - we are all learning and doing the best that we can during this time. Many of us find ourselves working in different environments, whether working from home with new “coworkers” - family members or children virtually learning alongside us - or working from deserted offices. In this unprecedented time, we have more professional and personal demands on us than ever before. As we continue to do our best to settle into this new way of life, work, sleep, exercise, and eating patterns don’t necessarily get the attention that they deserve. Remember that good sleep, eating, and exercise patterns are how we strengthen (or weaken) our immune system every day. We don’t just feel better as a result, we are healthier and more able to cope with change. Regular sleep and exercise habits also help maintain a routine - by building structure into a day, we can provide some semblance of balance and order. To help our residents remain active, we are expanding our Mendham Gets Fit campaign to an online platform. Starting next week, for the month of April, we will bring a variety of fitness classes right to your home via Zoom video conferencing. These classes are complimentary to residents and are being provided by the Township. Schedules will be posted on the Mendham Township Recreation site each week. We will be offering the following classes: Zumba, No-Equipment Bodyweight Bootcamp, Yoga, and Barre. Please email our Director of Recreation David Guida at dguida(a)mendhamtownship.org to get the Zoom link ahead of class. In addition to physical activity, mental health is very important. Be sure to take mental breaks for a few minutes each hour and find time to stretch. Also, taking distinct breaks to clear your mind can help - take advantage of Mendham's many miles of hiking trails, call a friend, colleague, or loved one you haven’t spoken with in a while, or even give yourself 10 minutes to meditate. Social distancing should not mean social isolation. Please maintain social connections - check in on your neighbors. If you or someone you know needs help, do not be afraid to talk to someone - our community is here to support you. To get in touch with the town’s outreach efforts, please send an email to outreach(a)mendhamtownship.org or call the non-emergency police number at 973-543-5848. Please leave a message and someone will get back to you. The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task force is also connecting residents across our communities to resources and support. You can follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/mendhamstigmafree/ or connect to the group by sending an email to mendhamstigmafree@gmail.com<mailto:mendhamstigmafree@gmail.com>. Young people can get free, confidential support by calling 2NDFLOOR, an anonymous helpline for youth and young adults between the ages of 10 - 24. The line is open to call or text at any time - 888-222-2228. If you’re overwhelmed and feel like you’re headed toward a crisis, please utilize NJ’s Crisis Text Line, text ‘NJ’ to 741741. The line is open 24/7, and a trained counselor will respond, listen, and help you through your concerns. If you or a neighbor need immediate medical and/or emergency care, please contact 911. Some days will be harder than others, but rest assured that we will get through this together. Educating ourselves, listening to one another, and having a willingness to embrace aggressive social distancing practices are critical and are within our control. By taking care of ourselves and checking in on our neighbors, our community will stay strong. That is truly a measure of success in these uncertain times.