Great Care loves the call to action the American Heart Association is encouraging, especially during the holidays, for living well.

Healthy For Good is a revolutionary movement to “inspire people to create lasting change in their health and life, one small step at a time.”

”The approach is simple,” says the American Heart Association. “Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well.”

The theory behind the Healthy For Good movement is you people need a guilt trip to motivate healthy living. “We know you know. You want to be ‘Healthy For Good.’ And we’re here to help,” says the AHA. “We’ll keep you on track with shareable tips, videos and hacks.”

Healthy for Good provides science-based information and “you-based motivation” in coaching people in the healthy direction they want to live.

“Along with eating right and being active, real health includes getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness, managing stress, keeping mind and body fit, connecting socially, and more,” the AHA says.

The American Heart Association directs Healthy For Good participants to enroll here, clicking on the red Join the Movement button. Sign up now, and receive the new, downloadable Holiday Healthy Eating guide and recipe booklet as a thank-you gift.

This helpful guide for understanding what makes a serving of fruits and vegetables is one example of the resources Healthy For Good provides. The AHA reminds us that fruit and vegetable juices can be part of a healthy diet.

“One serving of 100 percent juice can fulfill one of your recommended daily servings or fruits and vegetables, but watch for calories and added sugars or sodium. Choose 100 percent juice (or 100 juice and water) instead of sweetened juice or juice drinks.”

To get moving during the holidays and in the new year, the American Heart Association recommends trying to move more every day. Reach some pretty big goals over time by making every move count.

“When you move more every day, you can reach some pretty big goals over time. With motivation, dedication and great foot support, your small daily steps can add up to huge strides,” the AHA says. “Let your feet take you places you never thought possible.”

These tips can help in making every move count:

• 10 minutes of stretching is like walking the length of a football field
• 2.5 hours of walking every week for a year is like walking across the state of Wyoming
• 30 minutes of singles tennis is like walking a 5K
• 1 hour of dancing every week for a year is like walking from Chicago to Indianapolis
• 20 minutes of vacuuming is like walking one mile
• 30 minutes of grocery shopping every other week for a year is like walking a marathon

Fight stress with healthy habits and be well by following these tips:

• Slow down
Plan ahead and allow enough time to get the most important things done without having to rush.

• Snooze more
Try to get six to eight hours of sleep each night. To fight insomnia, add mindfulness and activity.

• Let worry go
The world won’t end if a few things fall off of your plate. Give yourself a break and just breathe.

• Laugh it up
Laughter makes us feel good. Don’t be afraid to laugh out loud, even when you’re alone.

• Get connected
A daily dose of friendship in great medicine. Make time to call friends and family so you can catch up.

• Get organized
Use “to do” lists to help you focus on your most important tasks, and take big projects one step at a time.

• Practice giving back
Volunteer your time or spend time helping out a friend. Helping others helps you.

• Be active every day
Exercise can relieve mental and physical tension. Find something you think is fun and stick with it.

• Give up bad habits
Too much alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine can increase blood pressure. Cut back or quit to decrease anxiety.

• Lean into things you can change
Make time to learn a new skill, work towards a goal, or to love and help others.

Learn more at healthyforgood.heart.org. Here’s to a healthy 2018!

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non-medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.