The new year brings a fresh start and a renewed sense of resilience as we continue to LiveWell during COVID-19. It is also a great time to take stock and create a plan to prioritize your health and well-being. Here are three ways Beach Cities Health District can help you jumpstart your healthy living in 2021.

Nutrition:

• Attend the next Virtual Blue Zones Project® Nutrition Workshop to learn how to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet. For those who cannot attend, recipes and the recorded workshop are posted online. Learn more.  
  
  • Thursday, January 28, 4 – 5 p.m.
• Do takeout, curbside pick-up or delivery from healthy, Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurants. Learn more.
• Learn more about the balanced plant-based eating pattern inspired by the Blue Zones® areas of the world where people live longer. Learn more.

Physical Activity:

• Beach Cities Health District’s Center for Health & Fitness (CHF) provides a variety of ways to stay healthy and active from the safety of your home during COVID-19.
  
  • Enjoy free, on-demand classes from CHF’s YouTube channel. Classes include yoga, Zumba, balance training, classes designed for older adults and more. View videos.
  • Try a monthly subscription to CHF’s live, virtual classes. Experience professionally guided workouts ranging from mindfulness, sunrise yoga, Tai Chi, mat Pilates, aerobics and more. Classes meet at designated times online. View class schedule.
  • Meet virtually with one of CHF’s Medical Exercise Specialists for personal or small group training. Start achieving your fitness goals today!
    • Learn more about personal training.
    • Learn more about small group training.
  • Join CHF’s free Fresh Start Fitness Challenge: Movement & Motivation for January 2021. A motivational quote or activity, and a workout that builds on itself is provided each day as a guide to keep you active. Learn more.
  • Talk to one of CHF’s Medical Exercise Specialists at its January “Talk to a Trainer” events. Learn more.
    • Tuesday, January 12, 1 – 1:45 p.m. – Shoulder Injury Prevention with Brian
    • Thursday, January 21, 11 – 11:45 a.m. – Back Care with Jason
    • Saturday, January 30, 10 – 10:45 a.m. – Hips and Knees with Chris
• Get the kids moving with dance-along videos from AdventurePlex! Videos are free and can be accessed anytime on YouTube. View videos.

Preventive Care:

It’s important, now more than ever, to continue with essential, preventive care. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to continue with your annual wellness checks, regular health screenings and treatments. Providers are open and have safety standards in place to ensure they are following infection control protocols with the health and safety of patients and staff at the forefront. For more information on preventive care during COVID-19, click here.

• Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations are important for children and adults. Recommended vaccines for adults 27-60 years old include: influenza (flu) every year, Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years and Zoster (Shingles) vaccine – for healthy adults aged 50 years and older. For more information on vaccinations by age, click here.
  
  • Beach Cities Health District strongly recommends that health care providers, individuals, and families follow the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-recommended vaccination schedules and avoid “alternative” vaccination schedules which often delay vaccinations and leave individuals susceptible to serious, preventable diseases.
• Cancer Screenings: Cancer screening is looking for cancer before symptoms appear. When cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat or cure. Several cancer screening tests have been shown to find cancer early and reduce the chance of dying from that cancer. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. For more information on cancer screening tests for breast, cervical, colorectal (colon), lung, skin and prostate cancer, click here.
  
  • It’s important to talk with your doctor about when and how often you should be screened. Depending on your personal health history, family health history or screening results, your doctor may recommend a different screening schedule.