I think we all know what happens in February. You see those little hearts everywhere. You can’t help but be reminded…it’s Heart Health Month! True, true. Valentine’s Day does happen as well, and that can be good for your health, but this is a whole MONTH versus a day. Let’s let those hearts linger everywhere, and let’s think about what makes a heart feel good.
What makes a heart healthy? Well, we hear increasingly about the heart-mind-body connection these days, so keeping all three in good shape can’t be a bad idea. In 2008, it was estimated that 15.8 million Americans took part in practicing yoga to keep their minds focused, their bodies healthy and their hearts open. If the Friday morning yoga class at the Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center in Redwood City is any indication, that number has grown rapidly in the last several years. On one of my many visits to the Friday yoga class, I spoke with Sansan, a yoga class participant who works as a flight attendant. She explained that yoga was something she could do easily while traveling. She tries to make the free Friday morning class whenever she can, but she can always practice by herself when she is in a different city. For Sansan, the yoga helps her keep her body and heart healthy, but it also provides a bit of a familiar routine when she is far from home. That has to be good for her heart.
Doing something physical isn’t the only way to do something good for your heart. Jack, one of our Senior Peer Counselors, knew that he’d be doing something helpful in the community by volunteering, and for many people, giving back is a way of feeling good. What Jack didn’t count on was how much he’d get from his role. “My client has taken me to parks I didn’t know existed…I’m actually learning about my community,” explained Jack when we spoke by phone recently. By volunteering, Jack has become more connected to his community and found out about new things. As a Senior Peer Counselor, I’m guessing that Jack’s Heart Health is doing pretty well!
If you would like more information about ways to keep your heart healthy, either through physical activities such as yoga or much needed volunteer acts, please contact info@peninsulafamilyservice.org or call 650-403-4300. We’ll be happy to help you with your heart-mind-body connection…and, as our logo shows, we’re about Heart Health all year ‘round!
