Newsletter: UPDATE: This Thursday, August 15: RB General Plan on Planning Commission Agenda
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Being Outside in the Summer is Great for Your Health!
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, summer offers the perfect opportunity to embrace the great outdoors. Whether you’re going for a jog on the pier, hiking through a botanical garden or simply enjoying a picnic at one of the local parks, being outside during the summer can do wonders for your health. Here’s a closer look at some of the health benefits of spending time in nature, particularly during the summer months.
1. Boosts Mental Health and Well-being
Spending time outdoors has been shown to significantly improve mental health. The natural environment provides a tranquil setting that helps reduce stress and anxiety. According to research from UC Davis, being outside can improve mental health by lowering cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Additionally, nature walks have been found to reduce symptoms of depression and enhance mood, making summer the perfect season to prioritize mental wellness by spending time outdoors.
2. Enhanced Physical Health
The summer season encourages outdoor physical activities such as swimming, hiking, biking and running. Engaging in these activities not only helps in maintaining a healthy weight but also improves cardiovascular health. Outdoor exercise is often more enjoyable and varied than indoor routines, providing a nice change of pace. The increased sunlight exposure during the summer facilitates the production of vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function and has been linked to the prevention of several chronic diseases.
3. Better Sleep Quality
Spending time outdoors has been shown to have a significant positive impact on sleep habits. Exposure to natural light and fresh air helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. One study highlights the correlation between outdoor time and sleep quality. The researchers confirmed that increased outdoor activity leads to more regular and improved sleep patterns.
4. Foster Social Connections
Summer provides ample opportunities for social activities such as barbecues, festivals and outdoor sports. Social interactions are essential for mental and emotional health, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and fostering a sense of community. Engaging in outdoor group activities can enhance your social bonds and provide emotional support, contributing to overall happiness and well-being.
5. Mindfulness and Creativity
Being in nature allows for moments of mindfulness and reflection. The serenity of natural landscapes can inspire creativity and provide a break from the constant stimulation of modern life. Taking time to appreciate the environment around you can improve your focus and mental clarity, as well as spark creative thoughts and ideas.
Tips for Maximizing Your Outdoor Time This Summer
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Stay Hydrated: Always carry water with you to stay hydrated, especially during intense physical activities or on particularly hot days.
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Protect Your Skin: Use sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, and wear hats and sunglasses for additional protection.
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Plan Activities: Incorporate a variety of activities to keep things interesting—hiking, biking, swimming and even gardening can all be beneficial.
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Take Breaks: Listen to your body and take breaks as needed to avoid overheating and exhaustion.
The summer season is an ideal time to reap the numerous health benefits of being outdoors. From enhancing physical fitness and mental well-being to improving sleep and fostering social connections, spending time in nature can have profound positive effects on your overall health. So, step outside, embrace the warmth of the sun and enjoy the healing power of nature.
References
- 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health – UC Davis Health
Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Herbers
By Sue Murray, Spotlight Writer Volunteer
The skills of a good chef go far beyond creating great food. Associated talents include being well organized and detail oriented, staying calm under pressure and having good communication skills. All of these characteristics describe BCHD volunteer Kathy Herbers!
Over the past 13 years, Kathy has supported BCHD with various initiatives including counting cyclists for new bike lanes to selecting and delivering library books, filling gift bags for the Tour de Pier event in Manhattan Beach and joining a moai®.
In 2013 shortly after Kathy left her job in the insurance industry, she joined one of the walking moais to help fill her free time. The walks offered a sense of community and inspired Kathy to get more involved. Soon she was both volunteering and taking part in the walking and potluck moais. “It’s hard to approach people you don’t know, so these events take away the awkwardness in a fun and relaxed environment,” says Kathy. To ensure as many people as possible benefit from these moai groups, Kathy continues to attend BCHD’s social hours and volunteer events to invite more people to experience the fun of moais.
But it has been her devotion to the BCHD that has resulted in the success of a number of moai groups: a walking moai, a monthly potluck meal moai and a quarterly cooking moai.
Unsure of where her love of cooking came from, Kathy says, “My mom was a horrible cook so as soon as I left home, I started doing my own cooking and loved it. Healthy eating is essential across our lifespan. Maybe the cooking skills skipped a generation!”
Historically, Kathy’s potluck moais, where each person brings a dish of food to share with the other members, were held at an indoor venue such as someone’s house or a church. However, since the pandemic the events are generally located outside, in a beautiful park.
In her personal life, Kathy works full-time at Northrop Grumman. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, daughter and grandson and enjoys walking her dogs, playing pickleball and reading.
When asked how she has time to volunteer, she explains, “It really only involves emailing the moai group reminders, walking once a week and figuring out what I’m going to cook.”
“Personally, I enjoy activities involving cooking. Being involved with the moais and volunteering in general, you will find that there is something for everyone, including gardening, listening and exercising. The pleasure you get from whatever you enjoy will be amplified by doing it with other people in the community. I’d encourage everyone to visit the BCHD volunteer page today and get involved.”
A Note from our CEO – June 13, 2024
Dear Beach Cities Resident,
Beach Cities Health District was fortunate last December to receive a grant for $6.8 million to construct a permanent home for allcove Beach Cities, the innovative youth center that opened in Nov. 2022 in a temporary facility in our 514 N. Prospect Avenue building. Since it opened, there have been more than 7,000 visits by young people to the center, and we continue to have more and more young people take advantage of the services allcove provides.
Receiving this grant has led us to refine the plans for allcove Beach Cities, which was originally to be located on the first floor of the Healthy Living Campus’ Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) building.
Now, allcove Beach Cities will be built on the corner of Beryl Street and Flagler Lane in Redondo Beach, on the northeast corner of our 11-acre property. This two-story, 9,400 square-foot center is scheduled to break ground this fall, creating a new home for allcove and its many services for young people ages 12-25.
At the same time, we are reworking the plans for phase one of the Healthy Living Campus. allcove Beach Cities is now a standalone facility, and we are looking to put the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) operation separate from the RCFE facility, changes that could enable us to reduce the size of that building, which currently is projected to be six stories tall.
To facilitate these changes, we are considering a $30 million general obligation bond measure, tentatively called the BCHD Community Health & Wellness Measure, for this November’s ballot. This bond measure would do the following:
- Safely demolish the old South Bay Hospital building that was built in the late 1950s and does not meet current seismic construction standards.
- Replace the building with up to two acres of open space that will be used for outdoor health and wellness programs.
- Expand youth mental health services by completing a youth mental health center (allcove Beach Cities) with environmental and sustainability best practices.
The measure would levy $3.00 per $100,000 of assessed value on residences in the Beach Cities, generating $1.7 million per year for the project.
For example, a homeowner with a property with an assessed value of $1 million would pay $30 per year, or $2.50 per month – less than the price of a coffee at Starbucks. In return, BCHD will continue to provide its health and wellness programs and services to the Beach Cities, including social workers to assist older adults and adults with disabilities; our assistance, information and referral line to answer resident questions about health services; nutrition and exercise programming in RBUSD and HBCSD schools; Blue Zones Project activities, including moais; free fitness classes featuring Yoga or Zumba; allcove Beach Cities, with its services for young people age 12-25; and many more.
I have been out in the community talking with residents about this possible bond measure, and with this letter, I’m now asking you to learn more about this possible measure and give us your feedback.
- More information can be found at bchd.org/bondmeasure.
- Comments and feedback can be sent via e-mail to communications@bchd.org.
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing the ways BCHD can continue to serve our community in the future.
In health,
Tom
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Loneliness affects our physical and mental health. It’s associated with heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The 2023 Gallup Well-Being Index reported that nearly 1 in 5 Beach Cities residents have little or no connection to other people, spurring on this feeling of loneliness. Beach Cities residents (and beyond) are encouraged to be proactive in caring for this important aspect of their health and wellness. In support of this effort, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) kicked off its Free Fitness Series with Mindful Yoga on the Beach as a part of Mental Health Awareness Month.
BCHD would not be able to offer this series without the help of our wonderful event volunteers. Not only is there equipment to lug around and set up, but our volunteers help register hundreds of community members each week.
Larry Moreau is a friendly and sociable volunteer who sits at the Campus Greeter desk and is a frequent supporter of Free Fitness (among other events). “Some people say that volunteering is “giving back.” It may be true for them, but that is not my case. I’m still “taking.” Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers and others at BCHD that I’ve met and worked with over the years.”
Nancy Bhatt, a dedicated and long-term volunteer, says that she loves working with BCHD because she believes in our vision and mission of community health and well-being. “Volunteering is my passion. (BCHD) meaningfully connects me with our community and allows me to be of service, giving me a natural sense of accomplishment and hopefully helping others. I am really looking forward to the Free Fitness events. As an Event Ambassador, I get to interact with all age groups and a variety of communities. I love BCHD!”
The Free Fitness program will continue this summer on Mondays starting July 8 at 6:30 with Mindful Yoga in Manhattan Beach and Zumba in the Park in Redondo Beach. Join the fun either as a volunteer or as a participant or BOTH! You can visit bchd.org/freefitness for more information.
For Young People, by Young People
As a teenager, I have found it difficult to find places that combine mental health support and young people successfully. Usually, the institution is decorated with Disney characters and building blocks or white walls and fluorescent lighting–there is no in-between. However, allcove mixes the two beautifully.
Stepping into allcove Beach Cities is like a breath of fresh air. Immediately, you are exposed to various art pieces created by youth for youth. Each wall is covered (floor to ceiling) in photos, canvas paintings, sketches and drawings. Phrases like “you are loved” and “open to chat” are also scattered throughout the building, contributing to the comforting environment. Not only does allcove do an exceptional job in providing mental health support, but it also serves as a location to drop in and chill. There are tables for studying, couches for relaxing or (my personal favorite) an egg chair with surround sound, which allows you to experience music like you are at a live concert! For all you Swifties out there (trust me) allcove is the place if you want to relive The Eras Tour.
And of course, allcove’s wonderful ambiance would not be possible without the people that work there. A special quality about the center is that every event, decoration or service that is offered was developed by young people. allcove is home to the Youth Advisory Group– a group of 16 – 25-year-olds from various backgrounds and cultures that provide insight to the struggles and needs of the youth in the Beach Cities community. The advisors are wonderful to work with, talk to or even share a game of Connect 4 with!
As for the fun events, allcove is here for whatever the youth desires. From crochet groups and karaoke night to wellness and mental health support groups, there is a program or service for everyone. In the midst of our struggles, it can be extremely difficult to seek out help, guidance or even peace. Luckily, allcove is open and willing to provide the help the youth deserve!
Mindful Media Movement
The Summer Workgroup of BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council developed the Mindful Media Movement campaign. Students developed this campaign to address the rise in the negative effects that they saw social media was having on teens in their communities. The goal is to educate and raise awareness about the effects of unrestricted social media consumption. They did not want to vilify social media but instead promote a mindful approach to its usage.
“Our hope is that the Mindful Media Movement will not only inspire our peers to adopt healthier online habits but also prompt meaningful discussions among adults—from parents who serve as role models and set guidelines at home to policymakers shaping regulations around digital engagement.” – Youth Advisory Council member
To view the image larger, click on image to download.
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Learn about the Youth Advisory Council’s Substance Use Campaigns for Alcohol, Vaping and Cannabis
Alcohol: Don’t Drink, Rethink
BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council produced a PhotoVoice titled “Youth Perspectives of Alcohol Use in the Beach Cities.” The goal for this project was to highlight the youth voice and point of view on alcohol’s impact on the well-being of their local community. Students compiled photos, testimonials from peers, statistics and relevant research to develop a presentation explaining how the home environment and easy accessibility contribute to widespread alcohol use by youth in the Beach Cities. View the PhotoVoice here.
As a follow up to the PhotoVoice, the Youth Advisory Council’s Summer Workgroup created a complementary campaign, “Don’t Drink, Rethink.” Postcards with statistics and ideas for activities that promote healthy behaviors and habits served as peer-to-peer messaging to highlight suggested alternatives to youth alcohol use.
To view or download postcard, click on image.
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Vaping: #EscapeTheVape
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BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council produced an anti-vaping campaign called “Escape the Vape.” The goal for this project was to educate young people on the common myths around vaping. Posters and postcards were distributed to schools around the Beach Cities.
Cannabis and Youth: What Beach Cities Students Want Parents to Know
BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council helped produce “Cannabis and Youth: What Beach Cities Students Want Parents to Know.” This video provides Beach Cities parents and caregivers with statistics, terminology and tangible takeaways to be more informed about youth cannabis use.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Campaign created by BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council
At the start of COVID-19 pandemic, communities worldwide were forced to adapt swiftly to ensure public safety. BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council embarked on a mission to educate and protect their community by developing a series of innovative COVID-19 health and safety posters and videos.
The posters addressed crucial topics relevant to the ongoing pandemic, from physical distancing guidelines and proper hand hygiene to how to stay connected with your community.
Posters:
- What does 6 feet physical distancing look like?
- Be smart. Have a Heart. Stay 6 feet apart.
- Stay Home if You Are Sick
- Stay Home: Text Message
- Feeling Sick? Stay Home
- How to Wash Your Hands
- A Few Times You May Want to Wash Your Hands
- 20 Second Lyrics
- STOP. Before you leave home, have you…
- Guide to Face Masks
- Note to Parents/Guardians on Face Masks
- Guide to No-Sew Face Masks
- How to Use Face Masks
Videos:
