American Heart Health Month

February is American Heart Health Month

As parents, we often put our own needs to the wayside to focus on supporting our keiki (children) and ‘ohana (family). This month, prioritize your heart health by balancing your calories with physical activities, limiting your consumption of sugar, processed foods, salt, and alcohol, and increasing your fruit and veggie consumption. Also, protect your heart by scheduling an appointment with your Primary Care Physician to complete an annual physical exam and get your heart screened. Also, know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and discuss if there are actions you can take to improve these, if necessary.  As always, speak with your Physician about any concerns you have and ask them for suggestions on how to improve your heart - and overall - health!

One of the best ways we can care for others is to care for ourselves first! At Kealoha Psychology, Caring for the Caregiver is a top priority (and a topic Dr. Kealoha has presented on at international conferences). Think about the small changes you can make to carve out more “you time” for self-care. Get outside and take a walk while your wait for your child to finish their practice/lesson. Be mindful of your screentime and social media use and instead engage in meditation or deep breathing exercises. Light a scented candle while you stretch or engage in a yoga flow or other movements. And - the hardest of them all - ask and seek out help when you need it! Prioritize what needs to get done, tap into your support system, and delegate tasks. Seeking professional support via an Individual Therapist can also help you to better manage stress and provide you with additional support and tools. Go to psychologytoday.com to search for a provider in your area that matches your needs and style.