Whether you’re in your busiest season, spending lieu time with the kids, paying off a holiday, or simply trying to make ends meet, a survey for the 2017 Modern Families Index report suggests that workplace culture is driving two thirds of parents to leave work late on a regular basis.
Work demands can sometimes get out of your control, but your heart health is largely something you can take charge of. At least 80% of deaths from coronary heart disease could be prevented. So think about taking a step away from your desk and take some steps towards a healthier, happier, longer life with Heart Research UK’s Healthy Tips.
Take time out
With work deadlines, childcare and household chores tipping the work-life balance, take time out for you and your family. Ban your work phone on days off and steer clear of emails during your well-deserved downtime. However you like to relax, whether it’s with a good book or a fi shing rod, climbing to a summit or taking to the road, give your heart a well- earned rest from the stresses of working life and try to add in some physical activity, giving your blood pressure a rest.
Move more
In this age of cars and computers the average worker may sit for ten or more hours a day. Get up, get moving and keep the blood fl owing by staying physically active inside and out of work. Moving more helps keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels healthy, control your weight, boost self-esteem, improve sleep and aid concentration at work. The key is to start with small, manageable amounts then slowly increase the duration and intensity each time, aiming for at least 150 minutes spread over most days of the week.
Break for lunch It’s easy to fall into the trap of lunching at your desk and before you know it, the night is drawing in and you’ve spent all day sitting. Make the most of your lunch break by squeezing in a short walk. If the team meeting has over run, why not fi nd inspiration from outside the conference room by holding a corporate walk and talk. Getting up for a change of scenery will not only get the blood fl owing and arteries supple, but will help to reinvigorate you for the rest of your
Eat well
Whether you bring a packed lunch or buy from the staff canteen, make heart healthy choices for your work lunch. Choose wholemeal bread for sandwiches and ditch creamy salad dressings for heart-healthy fats such as olive oil.
Fill
up a handful of fruit, crunchy veg and unsalted nuts instead of grazing through crisps and sweets and plan your evening meal so you’re not tempted to call for a takeaway on your way home. Follow our heart healthy recipe of the week (for simple and delicious ideas for eating well at work and at home.
Avoid artifi cial stimulants
Coffee, cigarettes, sugary snacks, energy drinks and a post work tipple are a popular crutch for getting through a long working day. The stimulating effects of these are short lived and could shorten your life. If you know any of these guilty pleasures are getting the better of your heart, set smart goals of how to ditch the habit. Make a realistic and achievable pledge to your work colleagues and seek support by way of healthy competition or signing up for our 50 day challenge.
Small simple changes all add up, so for the sake of a healthy heart, it’s time to re-balance and take a step towards a healthier, happier, longer life. E :
info@heartresearch.org.uk
More than a third of people in Wales can’t remember last time they took up a new hobby
New statistics released by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) show 95% of adults in Wales have given up at least one hobby from their childhood and more than a third (36%) can’t remember the last time they took up a new one. The BHF is encouraging people to shake things up by reviving an old hobby they used to enjoy, or starting a new one, to help raise money for life saving heart research. The poll showed that more than a third (36%) said they can’t remember the last time they took up a new hobby or tried something different, and as for the hobbies they did in childhood, more than a third (34%) said the last time they did them was over 10 years ago. For 30% it has been over 16 years. Of Wales residents polled, almost two thirds (63%) said they used to try more new things when they were younger, while two in fi ve (40%) of adults say they have grown up to be someone who tends to say no to new things.
The BHF can reveal the top ten hobbies we are most likely to have given up from childhood are:
1. Musical Instruments (39%) 2. Football (26%) 3. Swimming (23%) 4. Cycling (20%) 5. Other sports (17%) 6. Drawing (16%) 7. Gymnastics (13%) 8. Painting (13%) 9. Arts and crafts (13%) 10. Dance (13%) Almost two thirds (63%) surveyed said they would like to re-engage with an old hobby given the chance, seeing the benefi ts. More than a third (37%) said it would give them a sense of fulfi lment. Almost half (44%) said it would be fun and a quarter (25%) said that introducing a new hobby into their life would take their mind away from life stresses. One of the main reasons people said they haven’t rekindled an old hobby is that they were just lacking the
10 - Friday 18th August 2017 – Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser
motivation. However, the BHF suggest that doing something to raise money in the fi ght against heart disease could be a good incentive to revive one of your favourite pastimes. Marc Shaw, Fundraising Manager at the BHF, said: “Taking up a hobby can be extremely fulfi lling, and can be a great way of keeping active and meeting new people. Our survey shows that the majority of us would love to reignite an old passion from their childhood/younger years, as many of us used to be much more open to trying new things when we were younger. “By taking up an activity you used to enjoy, you can help raise money for our life saving research and help us make a difference to the millions of people fi ghting a daily battle with heart disease.”
The BHF relies on the enormous generosity of its supporters to continue funding life saving research, and is calling on the public to fundraise in ways that they enjoy. Do that thing you
do, and do it to raise money to save lives. Why not get the family involved, make opportunities to re-engage with that hobby that you used to enjoy, even just for one day, and fundraise for the BHF in the process. It could be a taking on a swim challenge if you haven’t taken the plunge for a while or getting on your bike if you miss the wind in your hair. Gather together your friends and old teammates for a kick around or even hold an arts and crafts day where you can all get creative. Around 374,500 people in Wales are living with heart and circulatory disease. Heart disease devastates the lives of millions of people across the UK, often without warning, so why not get together and make the time to host a fundraiser or take on a challenge of your choice. Get your free fundraising pack with inspiration, materials and support by visiting
bhf.org.uk/doyourthing
www.cardiffandsouthwalesadvertiser.com
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