National Walking Day is every year on the first Wednesday in April. National Walking Day is exactly as it sounds – a day to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. Walking for thirty to sixty minutes per day may sound like it isn’t much, but studies have shown that it can drastically improve your health and even help prevent ailments such as type II diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. 

We hear the term health coach more and more these days so I wanted to explore the role of the health coach in this blog post. A health coach is a coach for people who want to or who are contemplating making behavioral changes that result in a healthier lifestyle. A health coach is a type of healthcare extender trained to help others set goals and be accountable for themselves as they begin a journey to improve their overall health and quality of life.

March is National Nutrition Month and the perfect time to remind you that a healthy diet is one of the best ways to protect yourself from heart disease and stroke. Use these tips to eat smarter and live healthier.

Eating healthy isn't difficult, and you don't have to sacrifice the food you love. We'll help you learn how to make informed choices about what you eat. 

Please join us in honoring National Nutritional Month by spending a few minutes watching this video [heart.org] about the value of a well-stocked pantry. It features Toby Smithson, a registered dietician nutritionist, and cooking instructor Carol Ritchie.

Then, as you're stocking your own pantry at home, here are 5 Easy Ways to Find Healthier Options at the Grocery Store. [heart.org] Your health means a lot to us, and we want to help you make smart food choices to live happier and healthier!

One of my favorite things to do it sit, listen, and talk with interesting people. For almost two years now I have had the pleasure of sitting down with some beautiful humans and recording these conversations for our Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast https://soundcloud.com/nwahecwebmaster

Your mind deserves better than to be loaded down with the never-ending job of worrying! Some stress can be beneficial and may lead to actual problem-solving, but a lot of our stress is unnecessary and even harmful.

I recently connected with Jeremy Moseley, the Director of Community Engagement of FaithHealth, to discuss the mission and their ministries. Their mission is to build, align and animate religious and community assets to improve access to health care and the health of the community - a mission that aligns well with Northwest AHEC's. 

We want to remind you about National Wear Red Day® which is Friday, February 5, 2021. On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. From landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities; this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.

“Mental hygiene and physical wellness are key to engagement, absorption, and retention.”

Save the Dates!

7th Lenoir-Rhyne Symposium on the Future of Healthcare: The Nuts and Bolts of Sustaining Wellness