Health

Join the Pledge for Better Health

February 19, 2010 at 1:35 pm, by Rachel, BHG editor

Sometime between New Year’s and now is when so many of those well-intentioned resolutions fall apart. Instead of beating ourselves up over it, why not start fresh with a new resolution? Make a pledge to yourself to improve your health one small step at a time. In fact, BHG is taking that idea to a national level and working with GE on the Pledge for Better Health campaign, in honor of National Women’s Health Week, May 9-15. My favorite part of the campaign? The cool Google map (screen capture below) that shows new pledges coming in from around the country. For instance, as I write this post, Sally from Ringwood, New Jersey, just pledged, “I pledge to help my mom lose weight and improve her overall health, with me by her side.” How inspiring is that?

Other cool parts of the program (which is totally free, by the way):

• featured articles
• quick health tips
• fun polls
• daily blogs, including one with healthy recipes and meal ideas
• opportunities to share with your friends on Twitter and Facebook

Here’s my pledge (and I’ll post it on the Google map app too): I pledge to take at least 5 minutes for myself—to stretch, do deep breathing, and de-stress—everyday. What’s your pledge? Share it here.

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5 Feel-Good Ways to Boost Your Heart Health

January 28, 2010 at 4:25 pm, by Rachel, BHG editor

Love your heart! With Heart Month just a few days away, take a minute (or two, or three) for yourself and boost your health at the same time. Here are five feel-good ways to improve your heart health:

1. Cuddle your pet. Research shows that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. But that’s not all, pets help your heart in other ways as well.
2. Laugh … a lot. Whether you giggle, chuckle, chortle, or snort those peals of laughter keep your blood vessels healthy no matter what sound you make. Want to laugh more? Try Laughter Yoga (yes, it’s a real thing).
3. Say “thank you.” Showing gratitude and appreciation actually reduces stress—always a good thing for your heart. Enhance your gratitude quotient with these tips.
4. Connect with a friend. Scientists have found that people with friends they can talk to have healthier hearts. Need a friend fix? These girlfriend getaways are packed with fun ideas for a group of friends.
5. Escape into a book. Leave behind the stresses of your day and jump into a book. Better yet, run a bubble bath and read while you soak. Here are our 4 favorite bubble bath/book pairings from sister pub Heart-Healthy Living magazine.

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