The month of February isn’t just for Romeos and Juliet’s. It’s also American Heart Month, which serves as a reminder to care for your heart. One way to do that is by adopting healthy lifestyle habits that can help you prevent heart disease. Initiatives run by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute are founded on the research that having social support and personal networks make it easier to adopt such habits.
At Falcons Landing, the common bonds that we share already give us a head start when it comes to support. This, along with our top-of-the-line dining options, fitness classes and wellness programs give you many opportunities to stay healthy and in shape. Remember, heart disease is largely preventable so start implementing those healthy habits today!
To make the most of American Heart Month, here are three tips to stay healthy and avoid the risks of heart disease:
1) Adopt a heart-healthy diet: This is your first step in doing your best to achieve optimum health. A heart-healthy diet is low in sodium, processed foods, saturated fats, and sugar. It’s not always easy to alter your diet or pass up a good dessert but take it one day at a time and implement small changes. Try eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. At Falcons Landing, we offer a diverse range of dining options, including many plant-based, reduced-sodium, and gluten-free options. Nutritional information is also included for all menu items to assist you in making the right choice!
2) Get moving: Staying fit in our life plan community is easy once you know what you’re passionate about. That’s because we have a variety of ways to get you moving. Our Fitness Center features several types of exercise equipment for aerobic or strength training. Even beginners are sure to find a fitness class they’ll enjoy. Start slowly and gradually increase the length of the activities as you build stamina and get stronger. Choose from chair yoga, chair aerobics, aqua aerobics, balance classes and more. During winter, or if you simply prefer indoor activities, go for table tennis, Wii bowling or a dip in our junior-Olympic size pool. The close proximity to Washington, D.C also means that there are lots of activities for you to explore off-campus. Physical activity will help you to avoid heart disease by improving blood flow while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
3) Practice self-care: Believe it or not, self-care can be instrumental in promoting heart health. That’s because it involves any action aimed at improving your overall wellness and happiness. We believe in not only living but living well. That’s why our dynamic well programs are geared towards helping you maintain healthy habits and independence. These include our annual health fair, relaxing massages with our licensed therapist as well as nutritional guidance with our registered dietician. Take part in an activity, play a game, or join a club on campus. You may not see results right away, but regular self-care improves your mood, reduces stress and, helps you sleep better which all contribute to healthier heart health.
At Falcons Landing you'll be sure to find activities that pique your interest and help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our supportive, tight-knit community is here to support you along the way. Contact us to learn more.
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