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Wellness Tools

Everything in One Place

Crisis lines, women's shelters, by-county fitness/restaurants/parks, at-home workouts, healthy meals, tips, 30-day challenges, and the PEM Promise. Pick a tab.

PEM Promise

Make Your PEM Promise

A promise to yourself for each part of your wellness — Physical, Emotional, Mental. Pick three small things you'll actually do. Small things, done daily, build the foundation.

—
promises made so far
Be the next.
PPhysical
EEmotional
MMental

One small thing you'll do to take care of your body.

One thing you'll do to take care of your feelings and your heart.

One thing you'll do to take care of your mind and your focus.

🌸

Promise received.

Thank you for showing up for yourself.

On phone: hold the Power + Volume-Down buttons (Android) or Power + Volume-Up (iPhone). The screenshot saves to your photos.

Progress over perfection · Consistency over motivation

Resource Hub

The Building Balance Resource Hub

Wellness should be accessible to everyone. Whether you're a student, parent, or young woman trying to prioritize your health — these resources are here to help you take your next step.

!

Need Immediate Help?

Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · Text HOME to 741741 · Emergency: 911

Call 988
Mental Health

NC Campus Counseling

As a college student, I know firsthand how overwhelming life can feel. Most NC colleges offer free or low-cost counseling and crisis resources.

NC State Counseling Center UNC Chapel Hill — CAPS East Carolina Counseling Center Appalachian State Counseling UNC Charlotte CAPS UNC Wilmington Counseling Wake Forest Counseling Duke — DukeReach & CAPS
Hunger Relief

School Meals for All NC

One of the causes closest to my heart is ensuring no child has to learn on an empty stomach. Every child deserves nutritious meals and the opportunity to thrive.

Donate Join the Coalition Take Action
Pay it forward

Support NC Women's Shelters

Domestic violence shelters across North Carolina house and rebuild lives every single day — and they run on donations. Find a shelter near you, then ship them what they need.

Triangle · Wake

InterAct of Wake County

Raleigh's domestic violence + sexual assault response — emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis line, court advocacy.

Donate / Wishlist →
Triangle · Durham

Durham Crisis Response Center

Free, confidential services for survivors of domestic + sexual violence in Durham County.

Donate / Wishlist →
Triangle · Orange

Compass Center for Women & Families

Chapel Hill / Carrboro — financial empowerment, legal support, DV advocacy.

Donate / Wishlist →
Mecklenburg

Safe Alliance

Charlotte region's safe-house network + the Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter.

Donate / Wishlist →
Triad · Guilford

Family Service of the Piedmont

Greensboro / High Point — emergency shelter, counseling, family support.

Donate / Wishlist →
Triad · Forsyth

Family Services Inc

Winston-Salem — survivor services + mental-health care for families in crisis.

Donate / Wishlist →
Mountains · Buncombe

Helpmate

Asheville's primary DV shelter + 24-hour hotline + children's services.

Donate / Wishlist →
Mountains · Watauga

OASIS

Boone / Watauga County — High Country DV + sexual assault response.

Donate / Wishlist →
Coast · New Hanover

Domestic Violence Shelter & Services

Wilmington area — emergency shelter, court advocacy, children's program.

Donate / Wishlist →
Coast · Onslow

Onslow Women's Center

Jacksonville / Camp Lejeune region — DV + sexual assault crisis services.

Donate / Wishlist →
Sandhills · Cumberland

Care Center Family Services

Fayetteville — services for survivors of domestic + sexual violence.

Donate / Wishlist →
Sandhills · Moore

The Friend to Friend Program

Moore County's DV intervention + sexual assault response program.

Donate / Wishlist →

Don't see your area? The NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence maintains a full directory of every member shelter in the state.

What shelters need most

Each link below opens Amazon, sorted by lowest price. Pick something, add the shelter's shipping address at checkout (call the shelter or check their website — most have a "ship to" address for donations).

Personal hygiene

  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Body wash / bar soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrushes (bulk)
  • Toothpaste
  • Disposable razors
  • Feminine pads
  • Tampons

Babies & kids

  • Diapers — Size 1
  • Diapers — Size 3
  • Diapers — Size 5
  • Baby wipes (bulk)
  • Baby formula
  • Kids' underwear (new)
  • Kids' socks
  • Kids' pajamas

Home & cleaning

  • Laundry detergent
  • Dish soap
  • Toilet paper (bulk)
  • Paper towels (bulk)
  • Trash bags (13 gallon)
  • Disinfecting wipes

Comfort & basics

  • Fleece blankets
  • Pillows
  • Bath towels
  • Women's socks (new)
  • Women's underwear (new)
  • Slippers

Food (non-perishable)

  • Peanut butter
  • Canned soup
  • Pasta
  • Granola bars
  • Oatmeal packets
  • Cereal

Most flexible

  • Walmart gift cards
  • Target gift cards
  • Amazon gift cards
  • Visa prepaid cards
  • Gas gift cards

Before you ship: Call the shelter or check their website for current needs. Some shelters only accept new items; some have specific size needs for diapers / clothing. Many shelters also keep up-to-date Amazon wishlists — those are often the easiest path.

Wellness Near You

Find Resources by County

Affordable fitness, healthy restaurants, and local parks across all 100 NC counties. Choose your county to see local options — tap any listing to get directions.

Popular:
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Pick a county above to see local resources — affordable fitness centers, healthy restaurants, and a one-tap path to directions.

Move From Anywhere

Online Workouts at Home

No gym, no commute, no equipment? No problem. Every channel below is free on YouTube — pick one based on what you have (space, dumbbells, or just yourself) and start with one workout this week.

Dumbbell Strength

Caroline Girvan

Structured dumbbell strength programs (EPIC, Iron series). Quiet, focused, no fluff. The best free strength training on YouTube — full multi-week programs at zero cost.

Open channel →
Yoga Beginner

Yoga With Adriene

Yoga for every mood — anxiety, energy, low back, bedtime. Her free 30-day "Yoga Camp" series is one of the easiest ways to build a consistent practice.

Open channel →
Bodyweight HIIT

Pamela Reif

High-energy bodyweight workouts, often 10-30 minutes. Music-driven, no talking. Push-yourself intensity — great when you want to move HARD without thinking.

Open channel →
Bodyweight HIIT Beginner

The Body Coach (Joe Wicks)

Quick 10-20 min HIIT and beginner workouts. Friendly delivery, kid-friendly options. Got the UK through lockdown — works for anyone starting from zero.

Open channel →

Don't have dumbbells yet?

You don't need a full set to start. A pair of 5-10 lb dumbbells covers most beginner workouts. 15-25 lb if you're stronger. Cheapest options on Amazon, sorted by price:

Adjustable dumbbells Neoprene dumbbell pair Yoga mat Resistance bands set Kettlebell (10-15 lb)

No equipment at all? Start with bodyweight (Pamela Reif, MadFit, Joe Wicks). You'll progress for months before equipment becomes the bottleneck.

Eat Well, Feel Well

Healthy Meals That Actually Taste Good

Real recipes you'll actually cook on a Tuesday. Each one is balanced, simple, and built to keep you full. Tap any card for ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and a one-click print version.

Breakfast 5 min No cook

Greek Yogurt Power Bowl

Protein, fiber, and the kind of fullness that actually lasts until lunch.

See recipe →
Dinner Meal prep

Sheet-Pan Lemon Chicken & Veggies

One pan, 35 minutes, three nights of leftovers. The dinner you'll actually make on a Tuesday.

See recipe →
Lunch Vegetarian

Mediterranean Grain Bowl

20 minutes, mostly assembly. Vegetarian, satisfying, works hot or cold.

See recipe →
Breakfast 10 min Vegetarian

Veggie-Loaded Omelet

One pan, almost all protein and veggies. Breakfast that doubles as dinner.

See recipe →
Dinner Vegetarian

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tacos

Vegetarian dinner, 25 minutes, big flavor. Even non-vegetarians ask for seconds.

See recipe →
Breakfast 10 min

Salmon Avocado Toast

Omega-3s and healthy fats. The breakfast that actually keeps you full till lunch.

See recipe →
Dinner Meal prep

One-Pot Chicken & Veggie Soup

30 minutes, one pot, enough for 4 meals. Comfort food that's actually good for you.

See recipe →
Breakfast No cook Make ahead

Overnight Oats

5 minutes the night before. Wake up to breakfast already made. Endlessly customizable.

See recipe →

Want more healthy recipes? These channels are excellent — free, beautifully tested, and trustworthy:

Cookie + Kate Pinch of Yum Budget Bytes Minimalist Baker Skinnytaste EatingWell
Practical Tips

Tips From Gianna

Real-world, takeaway-sized tips for building balance — pulled from Gianna's presentations, research, and lived experience. Save the ones that hit. Try one.

Physical

Eat the rainbow

When you build a plate — cafeteria, restaurant, home — aim for at least three different colors. Variety is nutrient density without the math.

Mental

5-4-3-2-1 grounding

When anxiety spikes, name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. Your nervous system can't be panicked and observing at the same time.

Physical

Move every 90 minutes

Set a timer. Stand up, stretch, walk to the water fountain. Your back, brain, and mood need the reset more than you think — and it takes 90 seconds.

Mindset

The 1-minute rule

If a task takes less than a minute — reply to that text, put the dish away, hang up the jacket — do it now. Tiny tasks pile up; that's what makes you feel behind.

Gianna's Favorites

5 Ways to Reset Today

Small habits compound. Pick one — start now.

01

Go on a 15-minute walk

02

Drink more water

03

Eat one nourishing meal

04

Replace "I have to" with "I get to"

05

Put your phone down for one hour

Monthly Challenge

Building Balance Challenge of the Month

Pick one. Click any challenge to open the printable checklist — day-by-day prompts you can hang on your wall, mirror, or fridge.

30 Days of Gratitude 30 days · printable checklist Move Your Body Daily 30 days · printable checklist Confidence Compliment Challenge 30 days · printable checklist Screen Time Reset Week 7 days · printable checklist Hydration Challenge 30 days · printable checklist
♛ Gianna Buff

Miss Wake County 2026 · Building Balance

CONFIDENCE · BALANCE · IMPACT

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