Each week in May will focus on healthy habits for your mental health and well-being. This week we will be focusing on taking care of YOU. Take Care is all about your total well-being and taking care of your body and mind. From eating right, getting enough sleep to being active—these are all critical activities for your mental health. We encourage you to take part by talking about it, attending a virtual event and sharing these resources with friends and family.
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It’s ok to not be ok
.
It’s also ok to be sad, to be disappointed and to feel vulnerable. It’s also ok to feel pessimistic, overwhelmed and maybe a little bit numb. And it’s also ok to be worried and anxious.
As we experience the new normal, it’s ok to
feel
those feelings.
But most importantly, know that you’re not alone.
In May, in honor of
Mental Health Awareness Month
, let’s take a collective opportunity to spend some of our minutes at home talking about mental health and well-being, and giving one another permission to be compassionate and empathetic for all of the emotions we might be experiencing.
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Be gentle with yourself, and with those around you. Try to be mindful of how you’re feeling and acting on a given day and forgive yourself for the times when you might not be at your best. Recognize that this is also the case for those around you, and work to forgive them, too.
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Stay calm. Try to be a source of calm for your loved ones, especially in front of those who may be looking to you during this difficult time (such as your children or close partners). Practicing mindfulness can help you stay calm.
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Limit your social media and COVID-19 coverage intake. Instead of constantly refreshing your social media feeds or staying glued to news coverage, find a few trusted sources that you can check consistently (such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization) and set limits on your consumption.
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Set a routine for you and your loved ones to help build consistency. Create expectations for yourself and your family by involving them in daily activities (cleaning, learning, schoolwork). Ensure this routine involves space for fun and/or relaxing activities, too! Take breaks and allow yourself to do things you enjoy.
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Reach out to your support networks. Strengthen relationships with friends and family, your colleagues and spiritual groups by using technology.
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Focus on controlling the things that you can. We cannot control the future, nor should we let uncertainty drive us to hopelessness. We can fight this by concentrating on what is within our control —re-organize your closet, start a new creative project, create new and healthy habits, etc.
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Try to stick to as regular a sleep schedule as possible. Even if you’re not going to sleep and waking up at the same time you normally would, try to standardize it — aim to get to bed by a certain time each night, and wake up by a certain time each morning.
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Weather permitting, try to get outside at least once a day. Go outside, even if it’s just a walk around your backyard or spending some time sitting on your front steps. If you are at a high risk (e.g., are elderly, immune-compromised, etc.), or living with someone who is at a high risk, instead try opening the windows.
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Figure out a way to help others. A lot of research shows that helping others is a great way to help yourself. There are many ways to
help others in your community
.
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Find at least one thing to feel positive or grateful about every day. Start with finding one thing that makes you smile, laugh or feel good each day, such as a funny YouTube video, a heartwarming story or a song with a hopeful message. To double the impact, share your positivity with others.
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Develop a self-care toolkit. This can look different for everyone. A lot of successful self-care strategies involve a sensory component (touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell), so try coming up with at least one thing for each:
- For touch, a soft blanket or stuffed animal.
- For taste, a favorite snack or drink.
- For sight, a picture of loved ones or from a fun vacation.
- For hearing, make a playlist of your favorite songs.
- For smell, a scented candle or essential oil diffuser.
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Color Your Thanks
to Front-line Workers
Break out the crayons and show your thanks to the front-line healthcare workers, first responders, delivery drivers and all of those making a difference right now. An added bonus: a creative activity like coloring can be an effective stress reliever, giving us an opportunity to take a break from our thoughts and feel more present.
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Missed the Families Connected Speakers Series Last Night with Professional Surfer Alex Gray?
Watch Alex and Kevin Sousa have a real and open conversation about fear, anger, sadness, being alone, depression and anxiety.
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Mental Health & Happiness Series
Join BCHD for the new Mental Health & Happiness Series! Learn how to boost your well-being through evidence-based practices to build resilience, feel more connected and be happier. Attend one or all four workshops.
All workshops take place on Tuesdays from
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. with a discussion after from 1:30 - 2 p.m.
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May 5
Maximize Gratitude
Express appreciation
and savor kindness
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May 12
Boost Empathy
Support connection
and shift perspective
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May 19
Cultivate Bravery
Embrace opportunities
and manage change
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May 26
Reaffirm Purpose
Navigate transitions
and focus on meaning
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Talk About It Workshops
BCHD, in partnership with our Student Mental Health Provider Task Force and South Bay Families Connected, is launching the virtual “Talk About It” Small-Group Parent Workshop Series. This series will support families at home as they navigate distance learning and help create balance for student and parents.
All Workshops will take place on Thursdays from 1
–
2 p.m.
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May 7
Youth Mental Health and the Impact of Youth Substance Use During
COVID-19
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May 14
Facilitating Family Connection through Physical Activity
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May 21
Mindfulness for the Family While Safer at Home
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May 28
Managing Family Conflict & Creating Balance at Home
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BCHD Board of Directors Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 6
6:30 p.m.
Members of the public may join the meeting via video conference or call in.
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Mindfulness Drop-in
Guided meditation
Wednesday, May 6
5:30 – 6 p.m.
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques the first Wednesday of each month
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Families Connected Parent Chat
Free parent support group
Mondays
9:50
–
10:50 a.m.
Open to all parents. A support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Free Course for Family Caregivers
POSTPONED:
Now starting Tuesday, June 2
1 – 2:30 p.m.
An evidence-based, self-care program for family caregivers who are currently involved with providing care to children or adults with chronic conditions.
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Adventureplex Fun Home Fitness Challenge
Join us for an 18-day challenge with fun exercises you can do each day! Running May 1-18, 2020
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Get unlimited access to all CHF's live virtual exercise classes for $22 in the month of May. Small Group Training is also available virtually for $12 per class.
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Families can now bring MindUP, BCHD's mindfulness program taught in schools for kids, home.
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FREE on demand exercise classes you can access from the comfort of your own home, anytime.
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Add our
Facebook frame
to your profile picture!
Click here
to update your frame.
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Share your #SaferAtHomeSelfie!
Let us know how you are spending time physical distancing and helping slow the spread of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Testing at the South Bay Galleria
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COVID-19 testing is available to ALL Los Angeles County residents, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms.
Priority for the same or next day testing is still given to people with COVID-19 symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
Testing is also prioritized for certain critical front-line workers who interact with the public while working.
All tests at the South Bay Galleria are free of charge and are
by appointment only.
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Appointments have been filling up quickly. Please continue to check the site for availability at the South Bay Galleria or make an appointment at another LA County site.
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Recovery
In a continued effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Center for Health & Fitness (CHF) and AdventurePlex facilities will remain closed until at least May 31. As a public health agency, our top priority is the health and well-being of our community. We are taking extra precautions to protect the most vulnerable.
We know residents are eager for things to get back to normal, to go back to the beach and enjoy the sunshine California is known for – but it’s not that time yet. Continue to do your part –
especially by staying home as much as possible
and practicing physical distancing if you must go out – so that we can keep our most vulnerable populations and community safe.
While we continue to stay the course to slow the spread of COVID-19, we begin to look ahead and start planning for recovery, as South Bay community.
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COVID-19 Cases in the Beach Cities
As of 4/30/2020
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For more information about COVID-19, visit:
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Need Help with Health Information and Referrals?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs assistance with errands, health-related information or referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at
310-374-3426, ext. 256
, seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. You can also visit us online at
bchd.org/resources
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