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January 2005
In this Edition:
Turn on Your Heart Light
You Gotta Have Heart
Turn on Your Heart Light
By: Rona S. Bartelstone, LSCW, BCD, CMC, CEO
February is heart month, so the focus of this edition of our newsletter will be on various ways that
we can all promote heart health. I want to focus my article on the ways in which we can promote overall
health by "turning on our heart light" through love, humor and acceptance. I believe that we can reduce
stress and manage situations that are seemingly unbearable if we open our hearts to the good that exists
even in times of crisis.
You may recall that the song, "Turn on Your Heart Light" comes from the movie ET. I love that movie
because it is a movie of love, hope and connectedness. It is also a movie about acceptance.
We often write about the ways in which families struggle with caregiving because of prior patterns
of dysfunction, lack of communication, distance, disagreements about care options and other factors
that can lead to chaotic situations when we are in a caregiving crisis. In the movie ET joyful
chaos is first created by this wonderful little creature that comes along to entertain the children
of the family.
One of the lessons of ET is that our heart light can really get turned on when we accept one another
and the gifts that each person possesses. We may not always fulfill one another's expectations, but
when we learn to love for what is rather than what "should have been," we begin to be less judgmental
and more accepting. It is ok to recognize our own or another person's weaknesses. We can do this
without condemning the entire person. When we do that, we begin to have an appreciation for the
whole being and not just the "disappointments."
For example, an adult child recently told me about a parent who was totally self-involved. The parent
was not able to express love or caring for this women when she was a child. What she came to realize,
as an adult, was that her mother's personality had been formed by her own history and that even though
she was not a "good mother" she did provide life, a home and a safe environment for her family.
This daughter developed compassion for a mother who she realized had poor self esteem and in her
aging process was becoming quite vulnerable. By viewing her mother as a whole person and not just
a "bad mother" this daughter gained acceptance, learned forgiveness and was able to become a loving
caregiver.
Not all relationships can be turned around. So sometimes it is important to love ourselves enough
to get help caring for another. The sense of community, connectedness and support that comes from
the helping hands of family and friends can also sustain us during the trying times of caregiving.
My own experience is that the emotional support and physical help provided by family and friends
during health crises demonstrates the power of "being there" for one another. My heart light comes
on every time I think of the people who have supported me through my own recent caregiving experiences.
I also believe that there is a substantial mind, body, spirit connection that enables us to feel
better when we "turn on." I am not talking about the "turn on, drop out" mantra of the sixties!
Rather, I am referring to the powerful experience of touching other lives through emotional
connection. This can come through sharing experiences, playful activities, humor, quiet
conversation or simply sitting with a person in trouble.
So, during heart month "turn on your heart light" with another person who is important to you,
or take a risk in a new relationship. Humor, love, acceptance and connection with another person
release those all important endorphins that make us feel good and help us to stay healthy!
You Gotta Have Heart
By: Sandy Goldberg, RN Clinical Director of Nurses
Every year, more than 850,000 Americans have a heart attack and for about half of
them the first symptom is death.
Determining heart attack risk is a tricky thing: Some people eat all the wrong
things such as burgers and milk shakes and live to be a 100, while a few vegetarian
marathon runners will have heart attacks at 35 years of age. Fitness level and what
you eat play a role and so do genes and gender. Women have fewer heart attacks
before menopause and then catch up after menopause.
Sometimes drugs are needed to reduce their LDL cholesterol (the BAD cholesterol) Drugs
call "statins" can reduce it. The good cholesterol is the HDL which helps limit
plague formation. New medications are being tested for treatment.
Dr. Oz's 5 tips to a Happy, Heart-Health Life
Dr. Oz is director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Columbia University New York
Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He would rather help prevent heart disease
than do another bypass operation. Despite risk factors that you can't change such
as family history, the way you live does make a difference. Here is his pain free
prescription.
- Go Out and Play
You are better off being in good shape and fat than thin and in bad shape. Don't starve
yourself, eat well and get moving, doing whatever kind of exercise is fun for you.
For example: walking, biking, basketball. You'll feel better, and your heart will thank you.
- Watch Your Waistline
Abdominal fat is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome which dramatically increases the risk
of heart disease. Do sit ups and exercise. Keep your waist measurement less than 40 inches
for men and 35inches for women.
- Have Sex
Sexual activity can provide exercise and emotional bonding, perhaps explaining why one study shows
that having orgasms at least 100 times a year (that's twice a week) is associated with longevity.
But sexual dysfunction can be a signal of heart disease.
- Go Nuts
Rich in healthy fats, nuts are great to snack on and very filling, so you don't feel compelled to
eat as much junk. Don't go overboard, as nuts are also high in calories!
- Relieve the Pressure
Emotional stress causes physical stress. Avoid traffic jams, for example, which studies show are
associated with heart attacks. Stress raises blood pressure and studies show that people with
lowest blood pressure have the fewest heart attacks. Relaxation techniques keep the heart healthy.
Counting to ten and taking yourself outside the situation, as if just observing it can also be helpful.
Exercise daily, at least enough to sweat and you'll be healthier by far, and retain the advantage for
the rest of your life. You'll be able to hike at 80, ski the black diamond at 70, run with your kids at
50. You'll feel younger and be more vital than you ever though possible. It may be the single most
important change you'll ever make in your life.
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