Haywood 4 Good

Packing healthy lunches for kids can be as overwhelming as making your own! Check out “13 Healthy, Easy Lunch Ideas” for kid-friendly, on-the-go meals.
https://www.delish.com/cooking/g4146/healthy-lunches-for-kids/?slide=4

Infectious respiratory diseases can cause severe lung damage. Luckily, vaccines are one of the tools we have for protection.
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/vaccines

Interested in dancing for exercise but don’t know where to start? This Women’s Health article shares several YouTube dance workout channels.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g34227918/best-dance-workouts/

Curious about why exercising becomes easier over time? The heart and lungs work harder to supply your muscles with oxygen during physical activity. As physical fitness improves, your body gets better at getting oxygen into the bloodstream.
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/exercise-and-lung-health

Dancing for exercise comes with more health benefits than you’d think! Dancing improves memory, increases flexibility, and helps heart health. Remember: you do not have to be a professional to try this challenge. 😊
https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-pictures/health-benefits-of-dance.aspx

Greek salad is perfect for summer lunches. Vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are in their prime. This recipe by Love & Lemons is perfect to make the night before work!
https://www.loveandlemons.com/greek-salad/

If you participated in the January-June program this year, we hope you'll enter your program points into Challenge Runner. Please plan to do this by today, Monday, July 15. Participants who enter ANY March-May points will be randomly entered to receive a small prize (one person will be chosen; participants are eligible if they enter ANY March-May points and were a registered participant for the January-June program). Contact [email protected] with questions.

Making this healthy, easy veggie sandwich is a great way to clean out your fridge! Veggie sandwiches can be made to your liking; consider adding Greek yogurt or lemon juice to switch things up!
https://simply-delicious-food.com/easy-healthy-salad-sandwich/

Diaphragmatic and pursed-lips breathing are simple exercises to maintain and improve lung capacity. Try to practice these skills after your exercise regimen!
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-lung-capacity

Registration is open for the July-December session of the program. This program is optional. Those choosing to register may skip any part of the form that they wish; only name and agreeing to the waiver are required. Registration is open through December 31, but those registering by August 31 are entered to win an Instant Pot (1 available)!
https://forms.office.com/g/8mr0ChLw62

Canton’s ‘Pickin in the Park’ is on Friday nights at 7 and runs through August. This is a free event. https://www.cantonnc.com/pickin-in-the-park/

Packing a side of vegetables with lunch can seem overwhelming and time consuming. This article offers a variety of quick, easy, and kid-friendly vegetable side dish ideas. Most of these recipes can be modified to fit time and budget constraints as well. Happy snacking!
https://www.cooksmarts.com/articles/quick-cooking-tips-vegetable-prep-infographic/

While not stressed enough, part of healthy living is maintaining strong lungs. Not sure where to start? Check out this Healthline article for 5 ways to keep your lungs healthy and whole.
https://www.healthline.com/health/understanding-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/ways-to-keep-your-lungs-healthy-and-whole

Haywood County Public Library offers Move & Groove and Wiggle Worms story times. Check out their calendar for information on upcoming programs. This is a great way to reach your music and dance goal while spending time with a younger loved one!
Link: https://haywoodlibrary.org/calendar.aspx?CID=29

Have questions about how gratitude can improve your health? This article titled “Is Gratitude Good for Your Health” may answer it: https://healthmatters.nyp.org/is-gratitude-good-for-your-health/

Every day write down at least one thing you are grateful for. Give yourself 1 point for each day you complete this task.

Check out this Time article about why spending just 20 minutes outside can make you happier. https://time.com/5539942/green-space-health-wellness/

Record the amount of time you spend outdoors on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day that you spend at least 10 minutes outdoors.

Gratitude is a great addition to day-to-day life. Check out this article explaining why gratitude is key to psychological well-being: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/is_gratitude_good_for_your_health

Every day write down at least one thing you are grateful for. Give yourself 1 point for each day you complete this task.

Think about your health goals this year and which ones you completed.

Did you know gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness? For more information, visit: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

Every day write down at least one thing you are grateful for. Give yourself 1 point for each day you complete this task.

Check out this article, “7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water”: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water

Record the amount of water you consume on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day that you reach the recommended daily intake.

Go alfresco! https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco

Record the amount of time you spend outdoors on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day that you spend at least 10 minutes outdoors.

Reflect on how you did and about your favorite goal.

“Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.” Read the rest of the article at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/

Record the amount of water you consume on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day that you reach the recommended daily intake.

What is gratitude? Gratitude means feeling thankful as well as expressing thanks and appreciation. Research has shown that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, less stress, etc. For a more detailed definition, visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gratitude For more information about how gratitude may benefit your health, visit: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/expanding_gratitude

Every day write down at least one thing you are grateful for. Give yourself 1 point for each day you complete this task.

Find out why spending time outside is one of the easiest ways to improve your mental health and well-being! https://healthmatters.wphospital.org/blog/january/2021/my-doctor-told-me-to-get-outside/

Record the amount of time you spend outdoors on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day that you spend at least 10 minutes outdoors.

Falling asleep is sometimes a challenge! Check out this article to read about some tips to help you fall asleep: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/good-nights-sleep

Track the hours of sleep you get per night on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each night that you sleep at least 7 hours.

There is still time to clear your busy schedule and get together with family and friends. Hike the many trails that Western North Carolina has to offer!

Record what you did and the amount of time you spent with family or friends on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day.

Even though walking is not the most intense of workouts, you should still warm up and cool down before and after any exercise to reduce risk of injury and improve performance. Learn more, here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20045517 #:~:text=A%20warmup%20gradually%20revs%20up,heart%20rate%20and%20blood%20pressure.

Record the number of steps you took or your total walking time on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day you record your steps/time.

Take some time out of your busy schedule to unwind and relax with your family and friends! Go on a walk around downtown Waynesville or a local park.

Record what you did and the amount of time you spent with family or friends on each day of the calendar. Give yourself 1 point for each day.