There’s a lot to know about Opus Newton.

When David Haddad and his wife chose to move to Opus Newton, the volunteer program was an exciting benefit. For David, the program was a symbol of the kind of life the couple wanted.

“That’s what was attractive,” says David, “being part of the community where we all help make it work. We’d be responsible for identifying the kind of initiatives that we want to start.”

That spirit captures the purpose of Opus Newton’s volunteerism model. Residents combine their skills, interests, ideas, and shared investment to create a vibrant community.

Since moving in, David has embraced that mission in several ways. He volunteers as a dining room host, an essential role that many residents take on. He welcomes neighbors and helps create a warm, social atmosphere at meals.

David has also helped spark conversations that strengthen connection. As part of Community, Connect, and Create, a resident-led dialogue group, he and fellow residents gather monthly to ask big questions: What does it mean to live in an intentional community? What kind of culture do we want to build together? Those conversations have already inspired new ideas and programs. Residents have organized informal evening meetups for neighbors, created stronger communication channels with staff, and continue imagining new ways to support one another.

As a psychologist, David has long been interested in positive psychology, which focuses on helping people build happiness and emotional wellness by recognizing their strengths, deepening gratitude, connecting with others, and finding greater meaning in life. He believes purpose comes from having opportunities to reflect on what matters most and then putting those values into action. At Opus Newton, he sees that happening every day.

“Everybody comes here with something to offer,” he says. “The volunteer program gives people a way to bring that into the life of the community.”

We all know that healthy behaviors are a good thing. They make us feel better and may even help us live longer. So why do we let unhealthy habits take over? Ask anyone who’s tried to cut down on sugary food and drinks, get more exercise, drink less alcohol, or spend less time scrolling on social media and they’ll tell you: change is hard.

Behavior that has become a habit — something we do without thinking about it — can be especially hard to change. The first step in changing an unhealthy habit is to become aware of what triggers it. Look for patterns in your behavior such as snacking while watching TV or scrolling social media in bed. Then develop strategies to counteract the behavior you want to change.

If you’re in the habit of scrolling on your phone in bed, set your phone to airplane mode and leave it in another room. If you’re drinking several diet sodas daily, put some bottled water on the counter where it’s easy to see. If you want to exercise more, schedule walks with a friend and hold yourselves accountable.

It also helps to know why you want to change an unhealthy habit. Figure out why it’s important to you. For example, do you want to be fit enough to enjoy travel and see all the destinations on your bucket list? Do you want to stay active and independent for as long as possible? Do you want to lower your blood sugar to prevent diabetes? Do you want to be able to fully celebrate your grandchildren’s milestones? The more personal the reason, the easier it will be to stay on track when you’re struggling.

Small changes can make a big difference.
Many people make the mistake of trying to make big changes all at once. It’s one reason why New Year’s resolutions often fail. A more effective way to change your behavior is to start small. By taking one small step that’s easily achievable you can build on your success. After all, you wouldn’t start training for a marathon by running 26 miles on day one, especially if you hadn’t run farther than the bus stop in years.

Break your goal down into micro-steps and celebrate your successes along the way. Acknowledging an achievement, no matter how small, will trigger the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone that’s part of your reward system. Our brains want to repeat anything that makes us feel good.
Using positive reinforcement to strengthen healthy choices can make them automatic over time.

Healthy habits you can start this week.
To help you create healthy habits, we’ve listed six things you can do that support your well-being. Pick one that matters to you and incorporate it into your week. Keep going and you’ll find yourself gaining momentum, confidence, and self-esteem. Enjoy the process as your new behavior becomes a healthy habit.
Prep healthy snacks ahead of time.
Schedule time for movement.
Replace one sugary drink with water.
Take the stairs when possible.
Set a consistent bedtime.
Focus on progress, not perfection.
At Opus Newton, we empower residents to make choices that support all aspects of wellness. To learn more about our holistic approach, visit the Living Well page.

At Opus Newton, volunteering not only serves the community but also shapes it. Once settled into their apartments, Opus Newton residents meet one-on-one with Ava Harder, Director of Resident Life and Volunteerism, to discuss the volunteer roles they are interested in and the ways in which they would like to contribute. The possibilities are endless.

Residents have created programming such as lecture series and classes, organized groups to help each other connect and adjust to the transition of moving into their new homes, put on performances in theater groups, and even began developing campus-wide communications for residents. In March, residents collectively logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours.

For Ann Arvedon, Opus Newton’s culture of engagement was a very attractive reason to move. “I like to be busy, and I like to help people,” she explains.

Ann has an extensive resume of lifelong service, such as becoming president of the Framingham, MA, chapter of the League of Women Voters and holding roles on several boards. She has always found opportunities to engage in meaningful ways.

At Opus Newton, she volunteers at the front desk on Sundays and has established a popular mahjong club that plays twice a week. Ann has played mahjong for more than twenty years and but also taught new players in a group in Framingham for a few years. While she no longer teaches, she enjoys welcoming beginners and making sure everyone feels comfortable joining in. Ann also helped with a voter registration event this past fall and is always happy to contribute to different community efforts that come her way. “Something’s always popping up,” she says.

Ann’s open-minded approach to volunteering extends to how she connects with others. She is known for bringing people together, hosting small gatherings in her apartment, and making sure no one feels left out.

For her, Opus Newton is not just a place to live. It’s a place to stay connected, involved, and surrounded by community.