Encouraging healthy hearts

Encouraging healthy hearts

February 13, 2017

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[Healthy Heart Week]
Peer Health Educators Jennifer Williams, left, and Lindsay MacLennan hand out Friend-Grams and chocolates as part of Healthy Heart Week at the Queen's Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day. (University Communications)

February is heart month in Canada, and the Queen’s University Peer Health Educators are hosting their third annual 'Healthy Heart Week' Feb. 13-17.  

HEALTHY HEART WEEK
Monday, Feb. 13
• Giving away sleep Healthy Heart Week Packages 6:30-7:30 pm in Common Ground
• Buddy Run & Granola Bar give-away 5:30 pm (ARC Earl doors)
• Heart healthy recipe: Oatmeal
Tuesday, Feb. 14
• Friend Grams Give-Away & Healthy Relationship Board Quiz, Queen’s Centre 10 am-3 pm
• Healthy Cooking Club Food Give-Away, Queen’s Centre, Noon-3 pm
• Heart healthy recipe: Guacamole
Wednesday, Feb. 15
• Leave the Pack Behind Tinder Truth or Dare, 9:30 am-1:30 pm, Mackintosh-Corry Hall
• Giving away anti-stress Healthy Heart Week Packages 6 pm in Common Ground
• Heart healthy recipe: Stuffed sweet potatoes
Thursday, Feb. 16
• Free Tabata training session (Studio 4 ARC) 7-8pm
• Try a new heart healthy recipe: Green smoothie - Spinach
Friday, Feb. 17
• Announcement of winners from social media campaigns – leave the pack behind photos & video sharing

Daily events across campus will encourage students to prioritize heart health and will show them how easy it can be to be heart healthy.

While some activities are focused on physical fitness and nutrition, the outreach events are not limited to cardiovascular health; having a ‘healthy heart’ also means having healthy relationships.

Planning committee chair and kinesiology master’s student Jennifer Williams (MSc ’18) says mental and social health are also important aspects of heart health.

“Healthy Heart Week is all about focusing on ways we can improve our lifestyles in favour of improving heart health long-term,” Ms. Williams says. “That includes a focus on both our mental and social wellbeing, such as managing stress and recognizing signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, in addition to physical health strategies.” 

All events are free or low-cost opportunities to try a new activity or food, or get active with a friend. Events include a heart-healthy treat giveaway, interactive booths on healthy relationships, a yoga session, and daily recipes to inspire some new flavours in the kitchen.

The Peer Health Educators (PHEs) are student volunteers with Queen’s U Be Well, in Health Promotion, Student Wellness Services. PHEs are dedicated to providing healthy lifestyle opportunities to Queen’s students. They are responsible for planning and implementing workshops and events on campus to encourage students to make healthy choices.

Find the full schedule of events at: https://www.facebook.com/queensubewell/