Our September monthly Bē Health and Well-Being® newsletter focuses on cholesterol and your heart’s health. It also includes a list of upcoming events and more. We hope you enjoy, and we hope to see you soon at a Bē Health fitness class or event. You can download and check the app to view and register for classes and events hosted each month.

                           – Sarah Hanson, Bē Health and Well-Being® Navigator

Ways You Can Maintain a Healthy Cholesterol, Improving Your Heart’s Health

By Sarah Hanson, Bē Health and Well-Being® Navigator

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a great time to learn about the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart ❤️ disease and stroke.

So, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a natural substance your body needs, but too much of the “bad” LDL kind can lead to heart disease and stroke. The “good” HDL cholesterol helps clear LDL from your system.

How do you know your cholesterol levels? With routine blood work. In fact, we look at cholesterol levels at our health screenings. Join us for our next Free Health Screening that includes blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screening.

WHEN: Nov. 12 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WHERE: St. Joseph’s/Candler Be Health & Well-Being Office at the

SJ/C Heartwood Campus, 3866 Belfast Keller Road

Open to all residents. You must register through the app so if you don’t already have it, download it today! If you need the code specific to Heartwood residents please reach out to me at behealth@sjchs.com.

Healthy tips to control cholesterol: Small daily choices = big heart health benefits!

1. Eat smart for your heart.
 Increase fiber: Oats, beans, apples and berries help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol.
 Choose healthy fats: Use olive oil, avocado and nuts instead of butter or lard.
 Limit trans fats: Found in packaged snacks, fried foods and margarine.
 Eat fatty fish: Salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3s.

2. Move more, sit less!
 Aim for 30 minutes of activity at least 5 days a week.
 Brisk walks, ‘fitness snacks’, biking, swimming or dancing all count!
 Take the stairs, park farther away and stretch every hour!

3. De-stress daily. Chronic stress can raise cholesterol. Try:
 Deep breathing
 Mindful walks
 Gentle yoga or meditation

 Journaling or gratitude lists

4. Quit smoking and cut alcohol: Smoking lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. Quitting helps it bounce back fast. Excessive drinking can raise cholesterol and blood pressure so limit alcohol to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.

5. Know Your Numbers: Ask your doctor for a lipid panel (blood test) to check your:
 Total cholesterol
 LDL (bad)
 HDL (good)
 Triglycerides

And, a few bonus tricks to keep it all under control:

 Swap chips for air-popped popcorn or veggies and hummus
 Use spices (like garlic or turmeric) instead of extra salt or butter
 Drink green tea instead of sugary drinks
 Cook at home more often — it’s easier to control ingredients

Let’s keep our hearts healthy and our neighborhoods strong together!

Do You Have the App?

The Bē Health & Well-Being® app by St. Joseph’s/Candler has an exclusive section just for Heartwood residents with specific community benefits. Join classes, contact the Bē Health navigator and receive the latest health content. Download for free now.

Upcoming Events and Fitness Classes 

Sign up for Silver Sneakers Yoga today!

Have you heard about our Silver Sneakers Yoga classes? Don’t let the name fool you. They are open to anyone, at any age and skill level! Silver Sneakers Yoga is great for a beginner or more experienced exerciser interested in yoga and flexibility training. You will move through seated and standing yoga poses that aim to increase flexibility, balance and range of motion. Breathing exercises and relaxation is
incorporated into every class to promote stress reduction. A chair is used to accommodate a variety of fitness and skill levels during this class.

Offered every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at the SJ/C Heartwood Campus.

In September, we are also offering:

Flow Yoga: Called “Flow” Yoga as the poses blend in practice, a more dynamic style of class for students looking to grow their practice, synchronized with breath, creating your anchor as you move from pose to pose. Excellent for your health, not only keeping you active, but also reducing stress and building strength outward and inward. The class includes a warm up, Sun Salutations, stretching and balancing as
a part of every class. Inner reflection and relaxation are used to close class.

Offered every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at The Outfitters.

Children’s Yoga: We make yoga and mindfulness fun for kids! It’s filled with games, songs, stories, imaginative play and activities that engage children and give them the tools to feel calmer, happier and more peaceful inside!

Offered every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at The Outfitters.

Hike the Hill: The Bē Health Navigator will incorporate stretching and other exercises into this 2-mile
hike to the hill to enhance your overall physical, emotional and social well-being. Designed for all fitness

levels, just meet the Bē Health navigator at The Outfitters for this group activity on the St. Joseph’s/ Candler walking trail.

Offered every Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Fitness Class Pricing for Heartwood Residents 

Heartwood resident cost: $10 per class; $40 for five classes; $70 for 10 classes. Sign up on the Bē Health app. 

* Classes with no registered participants will be canceled 24 hours prior to the event.