Consciously practicing healthy habits is more important today than ever before. As many of us adapt to our new circumstances with social distancing, we must also look for creative ways to continue working on our well-being. The good news is, Blue Zones Power 9 practices are easily adaptable during these unusual times.

Here are some tips from Blue Zones Project Monterey County on how to adapt the Power 9 practices while social distancing.

Move Naturally – Get out in the yard, work in your garden, and get your hands dirty in a healthy way. Fresh air, sunshine, and connection with living things and Mother Earth will do you good. Rather than going to the gym, many yoga classes and workouts are available online as well as via Netflix and YouTube. Walk the dog, go for a run, enjoy the sunshine, and smell the spring flowers while practicing safe social distancing.

• Take a virtual visit to ReBorn Fit to find new workout ideas and learn how to perform exercises properly.
• Visit 2 Steps Ahead Performance Training on Facebook or Instagram to participate in their specially designed live classes or virtual workouts that will keep you motivated and bring out the athlete in you!
• Get your sweat on with Richard Russell CrossFit's virtual workouts on Facebook and Instagram as they safely guide you through exercise routines
• Teach the younger generation how to ride a bike, go on family outings in your neighborhood, walk the beach, all while practicing social distancing.
• Clean up the play area before meals, naptime, etc. with a fun song i.e. “Clean Up the Room”
• Beachbody has some fun workouts to keep kids active at home.

Downshift – Stay informed, but don’t stay glued to the TV. Take care of yourself and relax. Read a good book. Meditate. Keep a journal. Breathe!

• Mindfulness Meditation is free and open to anyone wishing to reduce stress and isolation during difficult times.

• Get the family together to do some yoga at home! Cosmic Kids have some fun options.
• Here’s a guided meditation for kids to instill some calm after a long day of distance learning.

Purpose – Now is a great time to take stock of your strengths, skills, and talents. If you’re taking some time off or are stuck at home, why not reimagine your future and start planning how you can live a better life doing the things that you are meant to do?

• You don’t have to be out saving the world right now; simple things go a long way. Maybe go for a social distancing walk and pick-up litter in your neighborhood or use your talents in other ways to help those in need during this time – don’t forget to wear your mask.
• Visit Community Hospital's Resource Center to browse their list of smartphone apps for healthy living and more. 

80% Rule – Eat mindfully, enjoy your food, and stop eating when 80% full—the point when you pause to consider how you will handle the remaining food on your plate. One great way to eat only what you need is to not watch TV, news, or a movie while eating. Focus on your food and really savor it.

• Cook a healthy meal for your family and remind them during dinner, “hara hachi bu.” Try this healthy recipe here.

Plant Slant – Put more veggies and fruits on your plate than other foods. Your body needs nutrition, perhaps now more than ever. Grocery stores currently remain open, and produce sections are decently stocked. If some of your staples aren't available, consider trying a new recipe with a fruit or vegetable you've either never had or rarely use.

• Learn how to start a home garden to produce fresh veggies for your family.
• Try these new recipes incorporating vegetables!

Wine @ Five – If you can’t get together with friends in person to celebrate your day, try calling or video chatting with them. Many smartphones allow multiple callers on the same call, so connect with a few of your friends and say cheers.

• Plan a Virtual play date with your friends, far and near, new and from the past to reconnect and check in on them and their families.

Family First – Take care of yourself first; then look after your family. You will all feel better knowing that you’re doing the right thing by taking care of one another as best as you can.

• Eating one, or three, healthy meals a day together without technology or distractions.
• Discuss your day — share what went well, what didn't go as expected, what you learned and what you'll do differently tomorrow.
• Take this free time to make a slide show of family pictures and then set up a Virtual get together and see if family members can guess who’s in the pictures, where and when they were taken.

Belong – Perhaps you don’t want to attend a crowded worship service. Many faith-based organizations offer live-streaming or podcast services. Connect with congregants, share your concerns, and help one another. How can you help neighbors in need—possibly grocery shopping for the elderly who may be fearful of going to the store?

• Attend a virtual faith-based service, motivational speech or join your exercise buddies for a FaceTime workout.

Right Tribe – Remain connected with friends who are optimistic and help you to stay healthy and positive. The last thing anyone needs right now is more bad news, so focus on what you can and will do to help one another. Share good news and encourage one another to be resilient.

• Video chat friends while watering the garden.
• Host a living room dance party with your friends on Zoom. Follow Kids Dance Party Crew for some jams!
• Cook healthy meals and share recipes together on video chat.

Join Blue Zones Project Monterey County

Click here to hear founder Dan Buettner shares how you and your family can live longer, happier lives.

Now that you know how you and your family can live longer, join us and . . .

In the spirit of supporting our organizations across Monterey County and as many offices navigate a transition to remote colleagues and virtual meetings, we want to provide you with a few helpful tips for working from home:

1. Set up a designated work area and working schedule.

It can be hard to ‘turn off’ from a day at work when your living and working space are the same. Be sure to designate a space for work equipment and time on the clock to ensure you still maintain a work-life balance. Be sure to turn off work notifications when you’re done working for the day.

2. Wake up and get ready for the day as usual.

Be sure to wake up with enough time to continue your morning routine and get in the right headspace for work. Sleeping in and not giving yourself enough transition time can make your morning feel rushed and stressful. Don't forget to include a healthy breakfast!

3. Continue to take regular breaks.

Taking time to take a short walk, stand up for a few minutes and have a scheduled lunch break are important to your routine and can make sure that you are taking the needed break to refocus and complete your work in a timely manner. Here is a great automated reminder that you can implement: Break Timer.

4. Communicate to people in your household when you are working and request quiet time.

It can be easy to be distracted by family members at home, chores that need to be done and other everyday things. Be sure to communicate with your family when you need quiet time for working and conference calls to decrease stress.

Regular stretching during the day can help reduce stress and increase productivity. Download our desk stretches flyer for easy tips to incorporate stretching into your day!