February is recognized as Heart Health Month. This month is an opportunity for us to focus on improving our heart health and minimize the risk of heart disease—the leading cause of death in the U.S. Learn the five tips that you can start doing today. Even one small change can make a big difference.
Keep in mind: It’s important to talk with your doctor before making any significant changes to your health, routines, or lifestyle.
- Move Your Body
It’s recommended that we get 30 minutes of exercise, like walking and gardening, at least five times a week. If you aren’t able to carve out 30 minutes in your day, try moving your body for just five minutes a few times a day. Consistent, low-impact physical exercises, like taking the stairs or stretching on your work break, are much better than none. Don’t forget to log your activity in the OnTrack platform at login.personifyhealth.com to earn points!
Did you know? If you’re enrolled in a UHC medical plan, you can get free grocery delivery and access to over 22,000 fitness centers through One Pass Select. This fitness subscription service offers five membership tiers starting at only $10/month. Visit onepassselect.com and use your Health Safe ID to learn more. - Eat Healthy Foods
You can lower your risk of heart disease by eating a mix of healthy foods across all food groups, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, and nuts. Be sure to limit foods and beverages higher in saturated fats, added sugars, alcohol, and excess sodium. Keep in mind, the amount of calories you need to eat depends on your age, height, weight, activity, and other factors. You can also track calories in the OnTrack platform at login.personifyhealth.com to earn points!
Did you know? People tend to eat like their friends and family. If you make healthy choices, the people around you may be inspired to make those same choices. - Know Your Numbers
During your next annual health checkup, ask your doctor about your blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and blood glucose (BG). These numbers can give you a snapshot of your health, show risks for things like heart disease, and allow you to have more informed conversations with your doctor.
Did you know? An in-network preventive health screening, like an annual health checkup, is 100% covered by your Rockwell medical plan. You can earn points when you complete a biometric screening and submit it on the OnTrack platform at login.personifyhealth.com. - Establish a Self-Care Routine
Chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Committing to a self-care routine that works for you can help you be better equipped to manage stress. Getting at least seven hours of sleep, drinking eight glasses of water, meditating, doing yoga, taking a warm bath, reading, calling a friend, taking your medications as prescribed, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight are a few examples of healthy activities you may consider adding to your daily self-care routine.
Did you know? You have access to guided meditations, breathing exercises, sleep stories, and other mindfulness techniques at no cost to you with the Calm mobile app. To register, visit calm.com/b2b/rockwell-automation/subscribe using your Rockwell Automation email address. - Have Health Data at Your Fingertips
From recipe apps that keep your diet balanced to fitness apps that track your workouts—you can use a variety of mobile apps to keep your heart health in check. These apps often connect to wearable devices, like a smartwatch or smart ring, so you can automatically measure your steps, heart rate, and sleep to share with your doctor. As a Rockwell employee, you also have free access to the OnTrack platform at login.personifyhealth.com with many of these great resources. Depending on your health status, you may also consider talking to your doctor about using an at-home blood pressure, blood sugar, or heart rate monitor to capture your health data.
