by Sandra Davis | Nov 6, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Uncategorized
Life can get stressful if you let it control your thoughts. Who hasn’t spent hours awake at night with their mind racing or struggled to stay calm in a difficult situation? How you react to stressful situations can either make matters worse or put them in perspective. That’s where mindfulness can help.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. It’s the opposite of taking life for granted. It’s about stepping back and observing with kindness what’s happening in your mind and heart so you can respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.
The health benefits of mindfulness.
Studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help people manage stress and navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience. Mindfulness has also been shown to produce measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning, and emotion, improving cognitive function.
Here are some of the ways mindfulness supports your brain and body:
- Lowers blood pressure. Calms the nervous system and reduces stress hormones that strain the heart and immune system.
- Reduces chronic pain. Helps shift the brain’s response to discomfort, making pain feel less overwhelming.
- Improves sleep quality. Promotes relaxation and eases racing thoughts, allowing for a deeper rest.
- Increases emotional resilience. By practicing awareness without judgment, we build the ability to bounce back more quickly from stress or setbacks.
- Enhances mood stability. Helps regulate emotions, leading to steadier moods and fewer extreme highs and lows.
- Fosters greater compassion. Helps you slow down, notice your own struggles with kindness, and extend that same understanding to others.
Putting mindfulness into practice.
Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as tuning into your breathing — the feeling of your breath coming into your body and the feeling of your breath leaving your body. When your mind wanders, keep returning to the breath. That’s all there is to it.
For more ways to cultivate mindfulness, try these tips:
- Mindful Walking – Move slowly while noticing each step and how your feet connect with the ground. Perfect for hallways, walking in place, or enjoying nature outdoors.
- Mindful Eating – Be aware of taste, textures, and flavors in each bite. Listen to when your body is hungry and when it is full.
- Body Scan – Mentally notice each part of the body without trying to change anything. Helps pain reduction and sleep.
- Three Good Things – Reflect on three positive things at the start or end of each day. Improves mood and sleep quality.
- Simple Stretching with Breath – Try gentle neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, or ankle circles while breathing deeply. Supports mobility and relaxation.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Tense and release muscle groups one at a time, starting with hands and moving upward. Reduces body tension and aids sleep.
- Loving-Kindness Reflection – Think of loved ones and silently wish them well. Boosts positive emotions and reduces loneliness.
Meditation class at Fox Hill Village.
Guided meditation is a popular class at Fox Hill Village. An experienced instructor leads participants in developing mindfulness, balance, and a sense of calm. It’s often combined with gentle yoga exercises for even more holistic benefits.
Meditation classes are part of the Fox Hill 360º initiative that empowers residents to embrace well-being in every area of their lives. To learn more about our whole-person approach to wellness, visit our Living Well page.
by Heidi Harrison | Sep 23, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Since its founding in 1990, Fox Hill Village has been home to a broad range of interesting and engaging individuals. Today, our community boasts more than 20 second-generation residents — those whose parents previously lived here and who ultimately chose Fox Hill for themselves. Now, residents are sharing the stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, how the community has changed, and what led these second-generation residents to make the same choice.
“My mother, [Margaret “Peggy” Platt Gray], lived in a large house overlooking Buzzard’s Bay,” recalls Sam Gray. “Our young family was in a house next door during summers and weekends. She had many friends and a very busy life. She enjoyed her life there and was hesitant to make the move to Fox Hill Village. But, as time went on, it became clear that the large home was too much for her and she needed the help Fox Hill would offer.
“In retrospect, it’s a shame she didn’t move to Fox Hill earlier so she could have enjoyed every part of the vibrant Fox Hill lifestyle.”
by Heidi Harrison | Sep 23, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Since its founding in 1990, Fox Hill Village has been home to a broad range of interesting and engaging individuals. Today, our community boasts more than 20 second-generation residents — those whose parents previously lived here and who ultimately chose Fox Hill for themselves. Now, residents are sharing the stories of how their parents came to live at Fox Hill, what they enjoyed, how the community has changed, and what led these second-generation residents to make the same choice.
Current resident Martha Bisbee is one example. Martha shared: “My mother, Harriet Hodgdon, chose Fox Hill Village even before it was constructed. My aunt followed her here shortly after. Mom enjoyed exploring the local area and participating on several committees.
“When my husband, Tom, and I started looking at communities, location was important to us. Fox Hill was on our list because I knew how much my mother loved her time here.
“Now we, too, enjoy the friendliness of the residents. The community has a familiar feel to us, but it has also changed a lot over the years. We appreciate that it is less formal now — suits and ties are no longer required for dinner — and so many wonderful new amenities have been added.”
by Heidi Harrison | Aug 27, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents
My mother and her husband loved living at Fox Hill Village so much that, when my wife and I started considering a community for ourselves, there was no question that we would love it here too. We’ve enjoyed the social aspect and how easy it is to gather with friends for a pre-dinner cocktail and dinner. My wife especially loved not having to cook.
There are wonderful new amenities and more
diverse program offerings as well, so I’m never
at a loss for something fun or interesting to do.
— Dr. Bill Shipley
by Heidi Harrison | Jul 29, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents, Uncategorized
Imagine a place where retirement isn’t just a destination, but a vibrant new chapter. Nestled in Westwood, Massachusetts, Fox Hill Village transcends the typical retirement community and is a tribute to the spirit of its residents— a haven where families can find comfort, stimulation, and community. One such family is the Fishers, whose connection with Fox Hill spans decades.
Dr. Alexander Fisher and his wife, Yetta, first moved to Westwood as newlyweds in 1936. A family doctor who made house calls, he served as the town’s physician. Having spent their entire married life in the town which they loved, when it came time to retire, they couldn’t bear the thought of living anywhere else.
Their daughter Judy says, “My father was partly responsible for getting Fox Hill created here.” He was particularly pleased that Mass. General Hospital was going to be involved with health care at the project. He wrote a persuasive letter to the town’s board of selectmen and advocated for the project at a crucial town meeting. His dedication, coupled with the support of his patients who voted in favor, helped turn the vision of Fox Hill into reality. Once it was built, Mrs. Fisher also left her mark, doing historical research and assisting with the naming the wings of the building after prominent families from Westwood and Dedham.
The Fishers were among the very first to sign up to live at Fox Hill and had their choice of apartments. Choosing their Ellis apartment was a joy, particularly for its view of the deep green woods. The Fishers enjoyed the varied dining possibilities and the intellectually engaging activities, as well as appreciating the proximity to Mass General and to their daughter, who lived nearby. And, as Dr. Fisher said, if anything happened to him so that he needed a higher level of care, he wanted Mrs. Fisher to be able to visit him easily.
When the time came that Judy wanted to find a retirement community for herself, she embarked on a search of her own, visiting several other establishments in the area. She chose Fox Hill, not only because of her parents’ great experience here, but also because of its unique welcoming atmosphere and the intellectual stimulation offered by its varied and highly educated population.
Since moving to Fox Hill in 2018, Judy has found her niche volunteering in the library. Her passion for literature comes alive as she recommends books, helps keep things organized, and engages with fellow bibliophiles. For her, Fox Hill is more than a retirement community.
by Sandra Davis | Jun 27, 2025 | News, Spotlight Fox Hill VIllage, Spotlight Residents
Fox Hill’s resident board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Bettachi as the board’s new president.
Bob moved to Fox Hill Village in 2022, having previously lived on Nantucket Island and in Lexington, MA. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Bob received his degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University. He then enjoyed a nearly 40-year career at W.R. Grace — a chemicals business — during which he held many roles in sales, marketing, and research and development. Bob led the growth of different divisions through strategic planning, restructuring, eliminating outmoded products, and developing new products. He was serving as senior vice president when he retired in 2006. Following his retirement from W.R. Grace, Bob consulted with private equity and corporate clients, providing pre-acquisition strategy and post-acquisition management coaching.
After his wife, Karen, died in 2017, Bob moved from Lexington to his summer home in Nantucket. He has served on the Boards of St. Francis House in Boston, the Cambridge Trust Company, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Associated Industries of MA. He also has served on the Fox Hill Village Finance and Strategic Planning Committees. The Fox Hill Village Board of Directors is comprised of Fox Hill residents and is solely focused on the needs and preferences of the people who live in our community. We are thrilled to have such a broad pool of talented and experienced residents to serve on our board and committees and look forward to exciting things to come under Bob’s leadership.
