Culture

Taking a mental health day in Chattanooga

Saturday is the Mental Health Fun Fair at Miller Park. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

If you’ve lost motivation to work, are feeling less productive, or find yourself worrying, feeling anxious, and stressed — you might need to take a mental health day.

Just like taking 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 your batteries in Chattanooga.

Get some fresh air

Take advantage of the weather and go for a walk around the neighborhood, along the Tennessee Riverwalk, or at South Chick Creek Greenway. Fully immerse yourself in nature for a hike to Rainbow Lake or one of the many other trails in the area.

Not looking to do something active? Grab a book or some close friends and sit outside at one of the local parks. Get some food and have a picnic, we love getting takeout and heading to Coolidge Park.

Do something creative

Find something that inspires you or something you haven’t done before to experience creative freedom. Check out some of the craft classes or writing workshops at The Chattery, sign up for a painting class at Townsend Atelier, or take a pottery class at Scenic City Clay Arts.

Get in a workout

It can be difficult to fit in active time during the work week, so taking some time to get your body moving can be a great way to utilize time during your mental health day. If you’re looking to really break a sweat, try out at class at SPENGA. Yoga is also a great option — Southern Soul Yoga offers several kinds of classes.

Do self-care your way

If anyone knows what you need to recharge your battery, it’s yourself, so take the day to do whatever it is that brings you joy.

Editor Kristen spends a mental health day picking out a new book at The Book & Cover and adding to her houseplant collection at Signal Mountain Nursery. Editor Brianna likes to start her day off by taking a walk outside to grab her morning coffee and a treat.

Looking for additional information or resources about mental health? This Saturday at Miller Park you can attend a Mental Health Fun Fair hosted by MySuspire — a local mental health organization that provides single, group, and family therapy — from 5-8 p.m. This is a safe and fun space for folks and families to explore resources free of cost.

Share this story with someone who could use a reminder that it's okay to take a day to yourself.

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Today

Chattanooga Lookouts: Thirsty Thursday | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 7:15 p.m. | AT&T Field | $6+ | Enjoy drink specials and cheer on the Lookouts as they take on the Tennessee Smokies. ⚾ *
Love Your Deep Core | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery | $20 | Learn what your “deep core” is and how to take care of it.

Friday

Outdoor Storytime | Fri., Sept. 16 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Southside Community Park, 3501 Central Ave. | Free | Enjoy the outdoors with a 30-minute storytime for children ages 0-5 and their grownups. 📚
Park(ing) Day | Fri., Sept. 16 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Broad Street, between 4th Street + Aquarium Way | Free | Come check out this year’s parklets with the theme “Inside Out.”

Saturday

Chattanooga Taco Festival | Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Camp Jordan Pkwy. | Free+, RSVP | Shop from 150+ vendors, eat delicious tacos, and enjoy family fun at this event.
Playdate in the Playscape | Sat., Sept. 17 | 2-3 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. | Free, RSVP | Explore the center’s Nature Playscape with the family.

Sunday

Apple Festival | Sun., Sept. 18 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | Support the area’s local farmers + pick up some fresh apples and apple-flavored and themed products. 🍎
Crafting with Craft Bevvies | Sun., Sept. 18 | 6-7 p.m. | The Moxy Hotel | Price of purchase | Craft a watercolor painting kit with the library over a craft drink. 🎨
Fundamentals of Mountain Biking | Sun., Sept. 18 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Greenway Farm Barn | $10 | Take the Introduction to Mountain Biking: Level 1 course designed for the novice or beginner rider. 🚲

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

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Bainbridge: A new community offering peace + privacy 🏡

Rendering of the Lynden plan by Pratt Home Builders.

The community is close to local restaurants, shops, and entertainment at Cambridge Square and planned amenities include a pool + cabana. | Rendering of The Lynden home plan by Pratt Home Builders

Close to Cambridge Square in the heart of Ooltewah (~25 mins from Nooga), the new Bainbridge community offers large homesites for single + two-story homes starting in the upper 300s.

Stop by the new Pratt Home Builders community at 7302 Ooltewah Georgetown Rd. this Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for The Grand Reveal Party. The first 40 people to attend will receive a gift card to Top Golf, Starbucks, or Bass Pro Shops. 🏡 *

RSVP FOR THE GRAND REVEAL

Weather

85º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain ☀️

Civic

The Chattanooga City Council approved municipal staff applying for over $2.6 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. If granted, funds will go toward transitional housing, rehousing, and support services for medically vulnerable people struggling with homelessness. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Today Is

Today is Election Day for the City of Chattanooga Council District 8 Run Off. Polls are open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. today. 🗳️

Coming Soon

Kai Bistro, an Asian American restaurant with a menu featuring Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Hawaiian cuisine, is set to open soon in Chattanooga. The restaurant will be located at 625 E. Main St. + is currently hiring.

Announced

Tennessee Valley Pride/Chattanooga Pride recently announced its lineup for the annual Chattanooga Pride Festival, taking place Sept. 23-Oct. 2. The lineup features events like Drag Bingo, Yoga with Jimmy, Pride Ball, and the Pride Festival.

Community

ChattState announced that its 7th Annual Latin Festival will take place on Sat., Oct. 1. The free event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month will last from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and feature cultural performances, craft artisans, bilingual community resources, mobile health screenings, and more.
Fall is upon us, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop swimming. The Brainerd Pool + South Chattanooga Pool will remain open this season — find more info and the city’s fall pool schedules here. 🏊‍♀️

Festival

Crabtree Farms’ Fall Plant Sale & Festival will take place this Sat., Sept. 17. The annual event will feature local vendors with fall-themed goods, drinks and food, hayrides, and plenty of plants. Check out the plant sale guide + prep for the pre-sale on Friday from 3-6 p.m. 🍂

Biz

The Company Lab has extended the deadline for all applicants to apply to October’s Will This Float? pitch competition. Bonus: the organization also added a monetary prize for high school students. Apply here.

Cause

On Fri., Sept 16 and Sat., Sept. 17, United Way of Chattanooga is hosting Impact Days, where you can donate school + classroom supplies to the Hamilton County Schools Teacher Supply Hub. Find needed supplies and drop off locations here.

Active

On Sat., Sept. 17, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Friend’s House Ministries + The Brave Effect for the first annual Running Down Recidivism 5k. Learn more and register for the 5k online. 🏃

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We dig this ⛏️

Artifacts discovered by UTC students now on display

The historical artifacts that were found will stay on site for display. | Photo by Tatiana Syrikova via Pexels

Over the course of several weeks in 2020, several UTC students found historical artifacts in the Chickamauga Battlefield. Now, these artifacts can be seen on display in an exhibit at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center in Fort Oglethorpe, GA.

An arrowhead that may be 10,000 years old, bullets + cannonball fragments that trace back to the Civil War, and a knife from World War I are among the artifacts that were discovered by the students.

THE WRAP

Today’s edition was written by Kristen.

Editor’s pick: There are some pretty fun shows happening around town this week. I’m excited to see Margot & The Toothless Hags at The Woodshop tonight + The Band Camino’s sold out show at The Signal Friday night.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? You’ve gotta get a road of this one.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brianna Williams, Kristen Templeton, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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