HEARTS AND LOVE

February is known as the heart month. During this month, Valentine Day, the day for sweethearts and gifts of cards, candy, flowers and jewelry is celebrated. Florists tell us that Valentine Day is second only to Mother’s Day for volume purchases. This day provides the perfect opportunity for friends to let one another know how much each is appreciated.

Health care professionals take advantage of the month of February’s emphasis on the heart to remind people to take good care of this vital organ so associated with love. Frequently shopping malls and grocery stores will offer free blood pressure screening during February. Television and radio advertisements urge people to get a heart check up and to begin practicing a healthy heart lifestyle. Heart month is an ideal time to fulfill that resolution to eat wisely, exercise more, or stop a heart health hazard such as smoking.

Stress is also recognized as a threat to healthy hearts. In our high tech, high quiet walk in the woods, a pleasant afternoon spent by a stream with a fishing pole or good book, an evening by a warm fireplace or a morning in a cozy kitchen with friends around the table, is priceless, yet much too rarely experienced for many. February is the perfect month to begin one of these or other equally relaxing routines.

Making concentrated efforts during heart month to establish heart healthy habits could ensure that a person enjoys an invigorating spring and long healthy summer.