Heart Healthy with Friends

It’s been over sixty years since February first became American Heart Month and since then it’s become celebrated around the world. With cardiovascular diseases responsible for one in five deaths in the United States according to the CDC, creating heart healthy habits throughout our lifetimes is important.

Like many things, being heart healthy can be more enjoyable with friends. This Heart Month, we’d like to share some of our favorite ways to take care of our hearts while connecting with others.

Workout Together

Exercising with friends can make workouts more enjoyable and motivating. Take a walk with a friend, or check out group fitness classes like yoga, strength, or spin. This can be a great way to find group motivation and meet new people.

Share a Heart Healthy Meal

There are many benefits associated with sharing meals with friends. Consider hosting a heart healthy potluck dinner with friends in honor of Heart Month. Each friend can bring a nutritious dish, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

The first wealth is health.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Manage Stress

Stress management and heart health are closely linked. While meditation is often considered a solitary practice, I recently witnessed how it can be a powerful shared experience. Last week, motivational speaker Jesse Israel gave a keynote address at a conference I attended. He shared the story of his ‘Big Quiet’ movement that promoted group meditations in public spaces. He then showed us how we to put this into practice in our own lives.

Support Others

A strong support system is fundamental to one’s physical and mental health. The first National Wear Red Day happened in 2003 with the goal of calling attention to women’s heightened risk for heart disease, and over the years has become celebrated globally.

Remember, a healthy heart is not just about physical activity and diet, but also about maintaining friendships to keep your heart healthy and happy! 💖