02/14/2026
Happy Heart Day 🩷❣️🩷
In honor of heart month - here's 5 ideas for how to celebrate & have a Heart Healthy Valentine’s Day:
❤️ Bundle up & enjoy a heart-healthy walk (or snowshoe, or skate around your local ice rink). We all know walking is good for us, but how good is it? According to the American Heart Association, “walking at a brisk pace at least 150 minutes a week can help” us:
Think better. Feel better. Sleep better.
Reduce risk of serious illness—like heart disease, stroke, diabetes & cancer.
Improve blood pressure, blood sugar & cholesterol levels.
Increase energy.
Improve mental & emotional wellbeing. Reduce risk of depression.
Improve memory. Reduce risk of dementia.
Increase bone strength & reduce risk of osteoporosis.
Prevent weight gain.
If you’re not already a walker, consider starting a new walking tradition this Valentine’s Day.
❤️ Cook a romantic, heart-healthy recipe for you & your sweetheart. Make a meal that’s sure to nourish your loved one & enjoy a cozy night in.
❤️ Speaking of chocolate, rather than eat a whole box of Valentine confections in one day, take it slow. Consider treating yourself to one chocolate a day & keep the rest in the fridge to prolong the chocolate love.
❤️ Give hugs & kisses. According to the American Heart Association, “besides burning a few calories a minute, kissing may be good for heart health. A 2009 study published in Western Journal of Communication divided couples into two groups, one of which was instructed to step up their romantic kissing. After six weeks, the enhanced kissers reported less stress, more satisfying relationships & lower cholesterol. Other research shows cuddling with your significant other may lower blood pressure.”
❤️ Share with your loved ones how you feel about them & how you can support one another’s health, wellness & fitness goals. Talk about healthy eating choices, ways you can stay active together & encourage one another to keep appointments for annual checkups.
https://giffordhealthcare.org/our-5-favorite-tips-for-a-heart-healthy-valentines-day/