At Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, we spend a lot of time talking about well-being. But we had a thought: What if, instead of telling people how to live better, we asked Palm Springs residents what they're already doing? And that's how “Humans of Palm Springs” came to life. No fancy production, no scripts, no rehearsed answers. Just us showing up at community events, stopping people on the street and striking up conversations. A few questions about favorite places, everyday habits and what makes life in Palm Springs special. And what did we discover? Our neighbors have plenty to teach us. For starters, Palm Springs residents seem to have a serious love affair with walking. City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein enjoys our parks and spectacular mountains. Mayor Naomi Soto has been walking along Tahquitz Creek since her children were babies and now enjoys biking with her family. Mike, a local resident, recommends Prescott Preserve for a little nature therapy, while Ms. Bannon, a teacher at Cielo Vista Charter School, loves hiking and spending time downtown. And then there's a Cielo Vista parent who woke up at 5 a.m. to join our Walk to School Day with her daughter. For her, a short walk, some sunshine and time with other families were enough to start the day with extra energy. Of course, not everyone immediately thinks about walking when asked what they love doing in Palm Springs. When we asked a Palm Springs Police Department sergeant about his favorite activity, he gave a refreshingly straightforward answer: "Probably eat." He loves our local restaurants and riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a change of scenery. Mayor Soto looks forward to Saturday farmers market visits for fresh berries and treats. But somewhere between the walking trails, restaurants and farmers market discoveries, something interesting happened. We asked people about their well-being strategies and they kept talking about other people. Bernstein finds inspiration in community volunteers. Soto loves the playgrounds where her children play and she connects with other parents. Some residents make exercise a family activity. We often treat well-being as an individual responsibility: Eat your vegetables. Get your steps in. Manage your stress. But our neighbors remind us that well-being is also about the communities we create and the opportunities we give one another to connect and belong. One resident offered a practical suggestion: See something in your neighborhood that needs improving? Gather your neighbors and do something about it. And that's especially worth remembering during the holidays when we're encouraged to buy more, do more and squeeze more into already busy lives. Which brings me to my favorite advice from the series. Borrowing wisdom from Gen Z, Soto suggested we all "touch grass." So, this holiday season, before making ambitious New Year's resolutions or buying another gift nobody needs, let's borrow a few ideas from our neighbors. Take a walk. Share a meal. Thank a volunteer. Invite someone new to join you or gather a few neighbors and make something better. Follow Blue Zones Project Palm Springs on Instagram and Facebook for more on our “Humans of Palm Springs” series. Who knows? The next person we stop on the street might be you! Happy holidays! And don't forget to touch grass. Mihai Patru is the executive director of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs. To get involved, contact bzppalmsprings@bluezones.com or visit www.bluezonesprojectps.com. www.DesertHealthNews.com Integrative Medicine The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 14 November/December 2026 Sounding the Sirens on Sleep Apnea Continued from page 3 www.cellrejuvenationspa.com Reset Your Body. Restore Your Balance. Feel Your Best. 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Better sleep is an essential part of your health and longevity. If you snore, wake up exhausted or have been told you stop breathing at night, a sleep apnea evaluation could provide answers and an opportunity to improve your sleep quality, overall energy and long-term health. Dr. Dell’Acqua is the director of dental sleep medicine at BreatheWell Center Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine in Palm Desert and can be reached at (760) 636-2280. For more information, visit www.breathewellcenter.com. References available upon request. Wellness Wisdom in Palm Springs? We Simply Asked Our Neighbors By Mihai Patru Blue Zones’ Humans of Palm Springs campaign gives the mic to the community. Expressing everyday wellness
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