posted on Friday, March 20, 2020
Join the #HealthyChoicesCount social media challenge
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Healthiest State Initiative encourages Iowans to prioritize healthy habits while children, families and adults practice social distancing.
“This sudden disruption to our routines can have a negative effect on our health,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Healthiest State Initiative. “That's why it is now more important than ever to prioritize our physical, mental and emotional health.”
RESOURCE: How to practice healthy habits at home with 5-2-1-0
To promote healthy habits, the Healthiest State Initiative is hosting a social media challenge:
HOW TO ENTER: Post a photo or video of yourself (or family members) participating in healthy habits on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
- Use the hashtag #HealthyChoicesCount
- Tag the Healthiest State Initiative
- @HealthiestIowa on Facebook or Twitter
- @iowahealthieststate on Instagram
- If you do not have a public account, make the post (Facebook) or your account (Instagram or Twitter) public.
WHAT TO POST: The Healthiest State Initiative encourages posting a photo or video featuring an activity that aligns with one of the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! habits:
- 5 – Eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day
- 2 – Engaging in 2 or less hours of screen time
- 1 – Getting 1 or more hours of physical activity
- 0 – Zero sugary drinks – drink more water!
Mental health activities such as mindfulness, journaling, meditation or checking in with friends and family via video messaging are also encouraged.
RESOURCE: Top 10 ways to keep kids active at home
Winners will be chosen randomly on a daily basis and awarded prizes from the Healthiest State Initiative and/or partners including the Iowa Department of Public Health, Delta Dental of Iowa, The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Hy-Vee and United Way of Central Iowa.
The prize package includes a 5-2-1-0 T-shirt (youth or adult size), a set of 5-A-Day Fruit & Veggie Bands, a 5-2-1-0 water bottle, a 5-2-1-0 Activity and Recipe Book and a $25 Hy-Vee gift card.
“We hope this challenge will remind Iowans that although we cannot gather at school, work or recreation facilities at this time, we can still connect on social media and motivate each other to take care of our physical and mental health during this unprecedented time,” said Haberl.
RESOURCE: Free, printable 5-2-1-0 activity sheets + coloring pages