Love Your Heart Month

We all want to lower our risk for heart disease and stroke.  February can be a tough month to stay healthy when warm, sunny weather seems so far away.  Stay on track with your 2007 resolutions by taking advantage of the healthy opportunities at your workplace. 

The Healthy Worksites Initiative is promoting the "Love Your Heart" campaign to coincide with the American Heart Association's "Go Red For Women"  campaign.  Need a change of pace at work? Here are some ideas for shaking the February blues and having a healthy heart at your worksite:

Support a Healthy Workplace

• Encourage your wellness coordinator, management team and wellness committee to develop a flextime guideline that encourages employees to participate in health screenings that are available to them.

• Encourage your wellness committee or wellness coordinator to develop a written guideline that encourages employees to share more fruits and vegetables with others.  A written guideline can be started through employees as opposed to upper management and doesn’t have to be a requirement but instead can be a recommendation or encouragement.

Support the “Go Red for Women” Campaign

• Encourage your cafeteria to promote healthy recipes during the “Go Red”  campaign.   

• Look for information, from your wellness coordinator or wellness committee, on how your worksite is promoting the Go Red campaign and participate.  Remember, Friday, February 2 is National Wear Red Day!

Support Your Co-Workers

• Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables - A healthy diet including fruits and veggies are recommended to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.  Create a healthy culture in your workplace by bringing in fresh fruits or veggies to share in your break room instead of candy, cookies donuts and other baked goods. Read about research related to visibility of candy and consumption by clicking here.  Make a“Red Recipe” with fruits and vegetables to share with your co-workers.

• Join a 6-week “Living Well with Chronic Conditions” workshop in your area for yourself or to learn how you can support co-workers and other loved ones with chronic conditions.

• Be a role model to your co-workers by getting more physical activity to help achieve and maintain a healthy heart.  Keep Your Numbers In Check 

• If you smoke, consider calling the Free and Clear Quit Line  at 1-800-292-2336 to create a healthier environment for your co-workers. 

* Defined as a written course of action, as of an organization or worksite, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters.

Additional Resource:

American Heart Association