North Texas Healthy Communities, the non-profit arm of Texas Health that implements Blue Zones Project in Fort Worth, is partnering with nationally known stress coach and wellness educator Nicole Porter to present a free, year-long webinar series designed to engage, empower and provide busy professionals with tools for a better mindset and overall health. The first of the series will be presented on Wednesday, June 15 from noon to 1 p.m. and recorded to accommodate work/life balance schedules. Future webinars will be offered every third Wednesday of the month through November. To enhance webinar discussions, participants may submit questions to Nicole in advance through a link provided with registration confirmation. Summer presentations include:

When we think of first aid, the first things that come to mind are usually CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, or tending to an injury. While it is important to know how to respond when someone has a physical emergency, knowing what to do in the case of a mental health crisis can also be potentially lifesaving. 

Walk or bike to dine June 3-5 and get FREE STUFF to help you make the most of your summer days outside. Ride a Bike Sharing bike for FREE all weekend long.

Fort Worth is making healthier choices and everyone is taking notice. Blue Zones Project Fort Worth was one of three Texas Health Resource initiatives that led to the hospital system receiving the prestigious 2022 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service from the American Hospital Association this month.

Fort Worth schools are about to get growing again!

Winning school projects include gardens, relaxation room, and “buddy benches” to enhance well-being on campus.

The family that learns together can live a heathier life together—at least that’s the idea of the annual Blue Zones Project Virtual Family Summit hosted for Fort Worth residents over the holidays. The 2021 event—online since 2020—offered tips and tricks for better well-being at any age.

From roller skating in their living room to testing new plant-based recipes together, the Schuman family of Fort Worth invents fun and creative ways to practice the Blue Zones Power 9 principle of Family First. In the world’s original Blue Zones, making family time a top priority has been shown to lead to a longer, healthier life. That includes keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home, committing to a life partner, and investing time and love into raising children.

No doubt about it, we live in challenging times, which can impact our overall well-being. Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. But in the world’s original Blue Zones, the longest-lived people have routines to help downshift and shake off life’s tensions. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians nap, and Sardinians celebrate happy hour.

In the world’s Blue Zones, the longest-lived people have strategies to avoid overeating. For example, Okinawans repeat a 2,500-year-old mantra "Hara hachi bu” before meals, which reminds them to eat mindfully and stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. That’s called the 80% Rule, which can help reduce calories, prevent weight gain, and avoid chronic diseases. For Andy Wang, an information technology professional, practicing this Power 9 principle is how he has amped up his well-being and improved his eating habits.