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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 at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others.
Here are some ideas to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Most middleaged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.
Why Connecting is Good for Your Heart
Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship.
Follow these hearthealthy lifestyle tips to protect your heart. It will be easier and more successful if you work on them with others. Find one or more partners and you can encourage and support each other, including by texting or phone calls if needed.
• Be more physically active.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce stress.
• Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
• Track your heart health stats.
You don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.
Editor’s note: Jeri Schaff is the director of the Valley Program for Aging Services.
