Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful meeting our health goals when we join forces with others. To underscore this point, NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement, to inspire people to protect and strengthen their hearts with the support of others. Making the following heart healthy lifestyle changes will be easier and more successful if you work with other motivated people:
GET PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
Ask a colleague to walk with you on a regular basis, put the date on both your calendars, and text or call to make sure you both show up. Join an exercise class at your local community center and bring a neighbor along. Grab your kids, put on some music, and do jumping jacks, skip rope, or just dance. Make your social time active and encourage everyone—family and friends alike— to think of fun things that get you off the couch and moving.
EAT HEART HEALTHY FOODS
We tend to eat like our friends and family, so ask others close to you to join you in your effort to eat healthier. Need healthy eating ideas? Try NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. It’s free and scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and improve blood cholesterol levels.
QUIT SMOKING
To help you quit, ask others for support or join a support group. Research has shown that people are much more likely to quit if their spouse, friend, or sibling does.
Visit #OurHearts for inspiration on what others around the country are doing together for their heart health. Then join the movement by tagging #OurHearts to share how you're being heart healthy with friends, family, or others.
Reference:
1. Join the #OurHearts Movement. National Heart, Lung and Blood Insitute. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth/our-hearts
Written by Jennifer M. Roberts, MS, RDN
FEBRUARY 2020
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