Heart disease is the most common disease in the United States, but you can lower your risk of developing heart disease by eating well and exercising regularly. February is American Heart Month, and Healthy Emory has a wide range of programs and resources to help Emory University and Emory Healthcare employees improve their heart health.
Building healthy eating habits
Healthy Emory’s first campaign of the year, “Operation Eat Right,” focuses on encouraging employees to consistently eat balanced meals. Participants can earn health plan health incentives or rewards by completing two activities. One is the Healthy Plate Challenge, where an employee can record her balanced diet for 21 days during the challenge period. Next, read her four articles on how to eat healthier. The campaign runs until March 31st.
Healthy Emory will also host an online cooking demonstration entitled “Love Every Bite: A Plant-Based Menu Designed for the Heart” on Wednesday, February 14th at 1:00 p.m., with Emory University Hospital’s Vice Director of Culinary Services Mr. Mike Bacha of Participants will learn how to prepare delicious and heart-healthy meals.
“This cooking demo complements the efforts of the Operation Eat Right campaign very well. We are excited to bring this interactive and unique experience to the Emory community,” said Danielle Renan, Senior Manager, Wellbeing Programs. says.
Rebecca Brickman, a registered dietitian and wellness specialist at Healthy Emory, will also be on hand to demonstrate and offer tips on how to incorporate more plants and whole foods into your diet. Interested participants can register for a demo online.
benefit from physical activity
When it comes to heart health, keeping your body active is just as important as nutrition. Bromeyer Health Fitness Center is a great resource for improving your physical health. Available to all Emory University and Emory Healthcare employees, Bromeyer offers services such as equipment orientation, fitness assessments, personal training, group fitness, and massage therapy at affordable membership prices.
“Our goal is to help Emory employees feel stronger and more capable of living healthy lives,” said Eli Steele, Fitness Program Manager.
Bromeyer staff supports members wherever they are on their fitness journey.
For example, Susie Blow, associate director of donor relations at the Rollins School of Public Health, noticed a dramatic improvement in her physical fitness after working with health and fitness expert Isaiah Leon. “Isaiah’s depth of knowledge, patience, attention to detail, and wonderfully enthusiastic approach to training is unlike anything I have ever experienced with any other personal trainer,” Breaux said.
mental care
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so maintaining healthy blood pressure is one way to reduce your risk. Emory supports employees to regularly check their blood pressure using blood pressure kiosks located on campus.
Throughout February, Emory employees are encouraged to visit any of the 16 blood pressure kiosks on campus, take a selfie, and post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #HealthySelfie . Participants will win a $15 Amazon gift card.
Kaiser Permanente will also be offering a webinar, “Emotional Care,” on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. This session is open to all Emory employees and will focus on how to identify risk factors and create a realistic plan of action. Keep your heart healthy throughout your life. Registration for the webinar can be done online.
Healthy Emory offers a variety of campaigns and programs throughout the year to help you maximize your health and well-being. Visit the Healthy Emory site to learn more about these programs and benefits.
