1. Stay active
Although the YMCA began a gradual reopening process June 1, the organization’s website is offering free, at-home resources to help families to stay healthy and physically active. Virtual YMCA resources include livestream video classes, on-demand video workout sessions and virtual personal training. www.ymcahouston.org/virtualymca
2. Become a yogi
With multiple studio locations in the Greater Houston area, Black Swan Yoga Houston provides free online yoga sessions via its website and social media accounts. Interested participants can tune in to livestream sessions on the studio’s Instagram account,@BlackSwanYogaHouston, or access video sessions on its website. While these sessions are free and available to the public, donations are accepted. www.blackswanyoga.com/houston/live
3. Learn about the negatives of nicotine
Middle- and high school-aged students can learn about the negative effects of tobacco and nicotine usage through A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience, a free bilingual online course developed and provided by the MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://aspire2.mdanderson.org
4. Encourage oral hygiene
Families can help children learn to practice proper oral hygiene at home through activity sheets provided by the American Dental Association. The dental health lessons offer activities such as an oral health calendar, tooth anatomy guides and coloring sheets on the association’s website. www.mouthhealthy.org
5. Make healthy recipes
The Houston Food Bank offers online resources for nutrition education where users can learn healthy nutrition habits, follow along with healthy recipe videos and access healthy-eating fact sheets. The Houston Food Bank has also compiled a list of COVID-19-specific nutrition education resources with food safety information, proper hand-washing techniques and recipes. www.houstonfoodbank.org/our-programs/nutrition-education
6. Access youth-focused information
Youth Engaged 4 Change, an online program created by the Working Group on Youth Programs federal agency, provides youth-focused resources covering topics ranging from mental health to COVID-19 resources. https://engage.youth.gov
7. Track healthy eating
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers MyPlate Kitchen, an online food planning resource featuring recipes, a food tracking program, dietary guidelines and other nutrition education information. www.choosemyplate.gov
8. Get physical with Texercise
Older adults looking to increase physical activity can access online instructional exercise videos, healthy eating tips and health fact sheets through Texercise, a statewide health initiative program by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/wellness/texercise
9. Get Fit
Fit Athletic, a Houston-based fitness facility, offers free live-streamed fitness sessions on the club’s Facebook page. The livestream videos include trainor-guided pilates, cardio and full-body workout sessions, among others. www.facebook.com/fitathleticclub
