February is Heart Health Awareness Month...

...so I thought I would share some Health Information for families as the month comes to a close. 

Red is the color of heart health - I think I would have guessed that in a multiple choice questionnaire:)

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: The heart beats 100,000 times a day and pumps 2000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of vessels. I would not have done so well on that quiz. 

Look for positive ways to maintain a healthy heart by choosing a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing the stress in our lives. We need to model that for our children as well. I certainly did that better when I was younger and raising my children. It’s TIME for me to think about the modeling of mySELF for my grandchildren as well. 

There are three major threats to our heart according to Total Wellness Health…

1. Physical Activity: 150 minutes of exercise each week. Your heart works harder than any muscle in your body. It never stops beating - a good thing!
2. Eating A Balanced Diet: The Mayo Clinic suggests we feed our children foods packed with nutrients with limited or no sugars, saturated fat and salt. Protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. To stay away from processed foods. 
3. Manage Stress: There are so many suggestions and solutions out there regarding managing stress for our children. Here are a few that I have found helpful with my own children, and in the classroom. Physical activity and getting outside. Some relaxing techniques, click on the link to see a finger tracing exercise for all ages! Listen to soft, relaxing music. Dim the lights. Structured routines help kids know what to expect and not be surprised which can cause anxiety. Being creative: drawing, crafts, singing and playing an instrument. Limit technology and screen time.  

With February and Valentine’s Day behind us, taking small, heart smart steps the rest of the year is my goal. I plan to walk everyday - steps matter. If I can’t get outside, I found a Thai Chi Walking program to watch and follow. I want to show my children and grandchildren that heart health is important and as with most things in life…choices matter.