One of the themes I really try to impress upon my students, whether it’s related to wise choices behind the wheel of a car, on the seat they pull up to the bar, or the design they see for their day, it’s “what’s the wise thing to do?” Whatever their decisions are, they bare just that… their decisions. There are many forks in the road of life and we’re left with the wonderful opportunity of making the right decisions for ourselves rather than someone else making them for us. After a week and a half of information overload on women and heart disease you’re left with decisions.
If you’re not a woman you might ask “what can I do to help the women in my life?” If you are a woman then you might ask, “how can I reduce my risk?” Here are my thoughts for what they’re worth.
Helping the women in your life can involve sharing what you know about the risk factors, helping them make healthy changes, maybe even getting on board with them to exercise, eat healthier or take a yoga class. If you are a woman, start now, wherever you are at, to live a healthier lifestyle. Here’s what that might look like:
- If you are a smoker, stop! It’s THE BEST gift you can ever give yourself and the ones you love.
- Start a routine exercise program. If you haven’t been doing anything, even just walking 30 minutes a day will make a huge difference. Add some light weight training to boost your metabolism and help with weight management.
- Choose healthier eating patterns. As previously mentioned, eat low fat (but make the fats you do eat healthy), low sugar, low processed foods, lean proteins, a lot of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day all the while keeping your portions reasonable. Most of us eat way more than we need to here in America simply because we can. Our statistics show it in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
- Manage your stress better through stress management techniques (progressive relaxation, exercise, yoga, music, meditation, time management, learning to say no, hot baths, prayer, a walk where it’s beautiful, dinner out with friends who make you laugh, journaling, volunteering and the list goes on).
Through these articles I’d hoped to educate, encourage, and every once in a while entertain. I also hoped to raise awareness of how important it is to join the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign by making a donation. No matter how you take part, you’re making a difference for the women you love and on behalf of all women everywhere, I thank you!
Hudson Valley Community College will participate in Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 6. The event is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Campaign.
Those (men too!) who make a donation of at least $5 will receive and pin and the “right” to wear red on Feb. 6.
Please consider making a donation today!
Donations may be made with the following volunteers:
–Tanya Hicks (ADM 240)
–Tara Bocketti or Deb Larkin (GUN 252)
–Vonnie Vannier or Tara Farley-Wyckoff (BTC 1042)
–Mary Musso (MCD 214)
–Cathy Campchero (BRN 008)
Published: Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:58:21 +0000 by m.musso