Desert Health News - November-December 2024

. PalmSprings can be a desert paradise, and residents and visitors all enjoy the natural beauty and vibrant arts and culture scene. According to data from the Gallup Well- Being Index,1 Palm Springs is also doing better than most communities in the country (equal to 53 out of 157 metropolitan areas) and only slightly behind the rest of the state (California ranks 14th out of 50 states in overall well- being).2 Although Palm Springs is doing better than most, there are still unique health concerns that affect the city. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease rates are higher than national averages, while physical inactivity and social isolation persist. According to Gallup, 4 out of 5 residents are overweight or obese, 3 out of 5 are struggling with their health, and 2 in 3 do not eat sufficient fruits and vegetables. In 2023, Blue Zones national experts did an assessment of the city3 and highlighted the city’s strengths, including: • An enviable animated urban core, with unique buildings and commercial spaces (they noted that downtown Palm Springs could be a case study on how to create an inviting built environment that caters to both locals and visitors) • Extensive commitment and long-term investment from the city into the downtown area and infrastructure • Unique identity with well-preserved mid-century modern architecture • Progressive land use policies • A thriving arts scene • Community-based efforts to improve school environments To build on the city’s unique strengths and address pressing health issues, Palm Springs has joined Blue Zones Project, a community-led initiative inspired by the world's longest-lived and healthiest populations. This evidence-based approach aims to make healthy choices easier by improving environments where people live, work, learn and play. By optimizing the places people spend the most time, people can live longer, healthier and happier lives. Blue Zones Project communities have seen significant health improvements, such as reduced obesity and smoking rates, lower health care costs and increased healthy life expectancy.4 Key initiatives for Blue Zones Project include: Moving naturally: Creating walkable, bikeable and playable communities with improved infrastructure and public spaces for movement and gathering Social connections: Helping people create new friends, combat social isolation and build community through policies, events and programs Eating wisely: Making it easy to eat healthy at work, in school, at home and at restaurants Purpose: Helping people discover their passions and sense of direction Blue Zones Project in PalmSprings is driven by a collaborative effort between leading Riverside County health care organizations, the county and the city. This grassroots approach ensures that solutions are tailored to the community's unique needs and priorities. A full-time local team is currently being hired in Palm Springs. Multiple Blue Zones initiatives are launching simultaneously in Riverside County — a strategy devised to create maximum impact for the entire region. New Blue Zones Projects have also begun in the cities of Riverside, Banning and Coachella, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate. Editorial by Mark Ishikawa, vice president of Blue Zones Community Transformations and Blues Zones Project Coordinator Jade Freed. Reach out to jade@bluezones.com with inquiries. To stay updated on local happenings, learn more and subscribe at www.bluezones.com . References: 1) https://news.gallup.com/topic/well-being-index.aspx ; 2) https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2023/ jun/2023-scorecard-state-health-system-performance; 3) https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2023/02/21/palm- springs-joins-blue-zones-initiative-to-make-city-healthier/69929368007/; 4) https://info.bluezonesproject.com/results www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2024 Yoga Wisdom for Holiday Serenity Continued from page 12 Fitness The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 20 www.pdpools.com Enjoy heated pools, locker rooms and more! Dive into a world of water fitness in the heart of Palm Desert at Civic Center Park. Our state-of-the-art Aquatic Center offers many programs year-round in perfectly heated pools. Enjoy daily lap swim sessions with both long and short courses, water aerobic and deep water fitness classes, plus swim lessons for all ages and more. There is plenty of free parking, newly renovated locker rooms and all the info can be foun at PDPool.com Bring this coupon and enjoy ONE free session, either lap swim or water fitness class. Valid for one person and one visit. Cannot be combined with other offers or passes. No cash value. EXPIRES December 31, 2024. FREE LAP SWIM ORWATER FITNESS CLASS! 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive in Palm Desert (in the Civic Center Park) PDPool.com • (760) 565-7467 COUPON COUPON Your Place for Health & Wellness! 760.219.7953 • 78010 Main Street, Suite 201 gatherlaquinta.com yoga • workshops • meditation sound baths • breathwork a yoga + wellness community Scan to view schedule www.y ogasix.com/law qu wiwnt.yaogasix.com/palmdesert YOGASIX LA QUINTA 760.362.6366 Offer available for local first timers only. YOGASIX PALM DESERT yogasix.com/laquinta 760.262.4149 yogasix.com/palmdesert Palm Springs wellness will get a boost from Blue Zones activation. (Photo courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs) Engage in Svadhyaya (self-study). The practice of Svadhyaya (yoga sutra 2.44) invites us to reflect on our thoughts, actions and motivations. During the holidays, this can mean pausing to consider why certain traditions or expectations feel important to us. Are they truly aligned with our values, or are we simply going through the motions? By engaging in this self-reflection, we can make more mindful choices about how we spend our time and energy. Surrender with Ishvara Pranidhana. Ishvara pranidhana (yoga sutra 2.45) teaches us the art of surrender – letting go of the need to control every aspect of our experience. During the holidays, unexpected changes or challenges are almost inevitable. By cultivating an attitude of surrender, we can flow with these changes rather than resist them, reducing our stress and increasing our resilience. Practice Dharana (focused concentration). In themidst of holiday chaos, the practice of dharana (yoga sutra 3.1) can be a powerful tool for staying grounded. Take a few moments each day to focus your attention on a single point – it could be your breath, a candle flame or a meaningful holiday object. This simple practice can help calm your mind and bring you back to the present moment. By weaving these yogic principles into our holiday preparations and celebrations, we can transform this potentially stressful time into an opportunity for growth, connection and inner peace. Remember, the true spirit of the season lies not in perfection or excess, but in the warmth of our hearts and the quality of our presence. May this holiday season be filled with the serenity and joy that come from living with mindfulness and intention. Jennifer Yockey is an E-RYT500 yoga instructor, an IAPRC Professional Life and Recovery Coach and owner of GATHER Yoga + Wellness. She can be reached at (760) 219.7953 or for more information, visit www.gatherlaquinta.com. Community News Palm Springs Ranks Ahead in Well-Being, But Still Has Room to Improve