February News From the Nurse

February is American Heart Month and National Children’s Dental Health Month

Reducing stress in an important factor in heart health; it can reduce blood pressure and reduce our chances of heart disease and heart attacks. Here are a couple ways you can reduce your stress. 

1. Reduce stress by trying meditation: Start by going to a quiet location, get in a comfortable position, focus your attention on your breath, an object, or a word, and be open and allow your thoughts to wander without judgment. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/meditation-to-boost-health-and-wellbeing

2. Reduce stress by going for a leisurely walk, hike, or bike ride. 

3. Reduce stress by progressive muscle relaxation: start by getting into a comfortable position and tightening individual muscles in your body, then releasing the tension. Start at your toes, moving up to your calves, and continuing on one muscle at a time.  https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2225

4. Reduce stress by watching funny animal videos (my favorite).

Heart disease can start at a young age, so the earlier in life you learn to de-stress, the healthier your heart will be!