When life throws you curveballs, you must sometimes take your game to a whole new level. So, in this time of lockdowns and safe distancing, Blue Zones Project is taking well-being virtual.

Blue Zones is a community-led, well-being improvement initiative aimed at making healthy choices easier in the places we live, work, worship and play.

Like every organization, Blue Zones Project has had to pivot and search out new ways to communicate with and support its audiences in response to COVID-19. Those efforts were critical as the primary principles of Blue Zones – increased longevity through healthier eating, increased activity and stronger social connections – became even more important during the pandemic.

Fortunately, this well-being initiative under Texas Health’s North Texas Healthy Communities discovered that many of its engagement programs were well suited for online platforms. As a result, Blue Zones has not only maintained its resources but increased the content and frequency of programming available to partner businesses and the community.

Blue Zones Project’s popular Purpose Workshops were the first to go online. Almost 500 participants have since virtually learned to rediscover their sense of purpose and put their talents and gifts to better use. As a result of that success, other online topics have been added via a new Lunch & Learn series, with programs such as Common Threads Healthy Nutrition Basics, Lunchbox Toolbox Healthy Eating Tips, and Mindfulness in the Workplace. These 1-hour presentations are available to Blue Zones Project partner organizations and area businesses upon request (minimum of 25 participants required). In November, Blue Zones Project will expand its offerings with online Mental Health First Aid training, which teaches the skills needed to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges and crises.

For the public, Blue Zones Project has introduced a free monthly Live Well Series, covering everything from mindful eating to how to promote well-being in children. A new Live Well Podcast has also been added to the mix in October and is available on the Blue Zones Project Fort Worth YouTube channel as well as on a variety of podcast platforms including Google Podcasts and Apple. Purpose Workshops also are offered virtually to the public once a month. And a “10 at 10” series on the Blue Zones Project Facebook page continues at 10 a.m. every Monday through Friday, providing 10 minutes of yoga moves live, cooking demos, breathing techniques and stress relief.

A listing of all online public programs can be found at LiveLongFortWorth.com. For more information about virtual Lunch & Learn options and to inquire about a program for your business or organization, contact BlueZonesProject@texashealth.org.