It’s American Heart Month—Give Your Heart a Valentine

This month is all about matters of the heart. Valentine’s Day may focus on love, but February is all about keeping your heart healthy. Give yourself and your loved ones the very best gift of all this year—a healthier you!

As a Spring Harbor resident, you’ll find many different ways to live well. Along with eating right, being socially connected, and getting enough rest and relaxation, you can easily stay physically active. Given the unrivaled range of wellness activities here, you’ll find many fun ways to give your heart health a boost right here on campus.

There’s more time than ever to live your life to the fittest and fullest with all the time-saving services like housekeeping, laundry and maintenance-free living. It’s up to you to make it happen. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore—you can make it fun by joining friends and neighbors, rewarding yourself, and by being flexible.

The National Institute on Aging says to aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. It’s best to be active every day, so you don’t have to do this all at once. Start off with activities you enjoy and gradually vary your routine by adding in new things. Make 20-30 minutes of physical activity a fun part of your daily routine.

Four ways to keep your “heart health” fresh and interesting:

1. Start your very own walking club or join a local one.
   Exercising with family, friends and neighbors is fun and easy. It’s a great way to connect and have a few laughs while getting exercise and focusing on your cardiovascular health. Walking clubs can help keep you motivated and improve your accountability. Here at Spring Harbor you can join the Breakfast Walks and Walks around Columbus.  

2. Try Yoga — it’s highly beneficial for people of all ages.
   Now is the perfect time to try new things and pick up some healthier habits. With a good instructor like Spring Harbor’s own Hannah Callaway, yoga class will not     only improve your flexibility and balance, reduce stress, and alleviate your aches and pains, it will benefit your heart. Residents say this fun group class is a real morale booster as well.

3. Start dancing for significant cognitive and cardiovascular benefits.
   Whether it’s the electric slide or the cupid shuffle, dancing can help you improve strength and muscle function and heart function. Studies even show that it’s the only physical activity to offer protection against dementia. You don’t have to have a partner, just bring your dancing shoes for some heart-boosting fun.    

4. Add a little music to your routine because it gets you moving.
   It requires a lot of willpower to stick with an exercise routine, so why not use all the tools you have. Studies show that adding music can be a strong motivator during most exercises including walking, dancing and stretching. So make sure you tune into a good beat because you’ll want to keep the tempo.

We’re committed to providing many ways to support and promote health and wellness as a way of life every day. If you don’t see something you like on the monthly schedule, let us know. It’s easy to start a club or form a group and get going.