By Hollie Harris
Sunshine Coast Council has joined forces with the health and wellbeing sector for Heart Week from April 29 to May 5 to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
National Heart Week is an initiative of the National Heart Foundation which aims to promote heart health.
Research outlines regular physical activity and healthy eating reduces the risk of a number of chronic diseases that are the major cause of death and disability in Australia.
Community Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said in 2018 the theme for Heart Week is all about the importance of physical activity for heart health.
“It has been documented that participating in regular physical activity is important for your health and during Heart Week, council and the health and wellbeing sector encourages the community to get involved in a range of activities,” Cr McKay said.
There is something for everyone including council’s free Healthy Sunshine Coast yoga, group fitness or over-55s classes which are all about getting people active and improving their long-term health.
People can take positive steps to help reduce stress, have a healthier body, build stronger relationships, and most of all be happy by attending one of the many free Heart Foundation walks happening across the region.
There’s a Stockland Heart Foundation walk and morning tea at 9am on Sunday, April 29 which includes a walk around the new hospital precinct and the beautiful surrounds of Lake Kawana followed by a free morning tea and health checks by an Exercise Physiologist.
Join a free parkrun in five locations at 7am on Saturdays.
Walk, skip or jump to raise funds to support Sunshine Coast patients and their families in the Wishlist fun run on April 22.
Bring your bike and join in the Travelsmart Sunday Social Ride on April 29 or participate in a morning of games or yarning circle at the Traditional Indigenous Games from 9am to noon on May 1.
“These are just some of the activities designed to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity to improve heart health,” Cr McKay said.
To find out how to improve your health and wellbeing, head to council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and search ‘heart week’ to download the Heart Week brochure.
