News: American Heart Month 2022

American Heart Month is an opportunity to focus on our cardiovascular health. It is never too late to create or rebuild healthy habits that work for you. Create healthy habits that work best for YOUR life, for the best chance at life.

Healthy Eating:

· An easy first step to eating healthy is to include fruits & vegetables at every meal and snack. All forms (fresh, frozen, canned, and dried) and all colors count.

· The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight go far beyond improved energy & smaller clothing sizes. By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you are also likely to enjoy a higher quality of life.

· Cooking more meals at home gives everyone in the family an opportunity to build better eating habits one plate at a time.

· “Balance” is the latest word on heart-healthy eating, according to a new report that encourages people to adapt broad eating habits instead of focusing on single foods – and it is not one size fits all.

Healthy Lifestyle:

· Mental health includes our emotional, psychological & social well-being. It effects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we manage stress, relate to others, and make choices.

· Getting enough sleep can be the key to unlocking a healthier you. Amount and quality of sleep can influence your eating habits, mood, memory, internal organs & more.

· Stress happens, especially these days (one in two U.S. adults reports that COVID-19 has negatively impacted mental health) While you may feel too busy to de-stress you can decide to take back your “me time”, one moment at a time. Reduce stress for a healthier version of you.

Fitness:

· Fitness basics includes at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity for adults. Preferably spread this activity throughout the week. Examples include brisk walking, water aerobics, dancing, gardening, tennis(doubles) and biking. Moving (even just a little) improves your heart health. If you have a chronic condition or disability, talk with your health care provider about what type & amount of physical activity would be best for you.

· Here are some of the most common barriers to getting active: lack of time, friends & family do not share your interest, lack of motivation and/or energy, lack of resources/equipment, family caregiving obligations, frequent work, or leisure travel. Here is a link with some solutions:  https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/breaking-down-barriers-to-fitness

· Staying motivated can be fortified by creating fitness goals, celebrating your fitness success, and establishing fitness peer support, do not work out alone.

Pets & Your Health:

· There are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunity to exercise and get outside and socialize. Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels. Pets can help manage loneliness & depression by providing companionship.

Here is a link for additional information on Heart health. https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms