Fundraising
Pandemic motivates Brits to improve physical health
This National Heart Month we’re encouraging everyone to do at least one thing to improve their heart health.
To mark the start of National Heart Month today, we released a survey that shows more than half of UK adults (54%) are determined to get more physically active as a result of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Our survey reveals the toll that repeated lockdowns have had on people’s view of their health. Most respondents said they were more concerned about their physical (63%) and mental health (56%) because of the pandemic and around half (48%) said they feel unhealthier as a result. Nearly half (46%) also said they’ve put on weight.
In response, we’ve team up with Olympian Roger Black MBE to encourage the public to do at least one thing to improve their heart health this National Heart Month.
Roger, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition aged 11, said: “During lockdown, many of us will be looking for new ways to boost our health while following the Government’s guidelines, which is why National Heart Month is the ideal time to start looking after your heart. You don’t have to run a marathon to keep fit - the BHF has a variety of virtual challenges such as MyCycle and My Step Challenge to help get you started, all of which you can do outside or from the comfort of your own homes.”
“This February, I’m teaming up with the BHF to call on the nation to do at least one thing to improve their heart health while raising funds for the charity’s life saving research.”
Despite the challenge of lockdown, four in ten (40%) people said they have managed to exercise more during the pandemic and one in three (34%) said they have eaten a healthier diet. This compares to a quarter who say they have done less exercise (25%) and eaten more unhealthily (25%).
'Small changes can make a big difference to your heart health'
Barbara Kobson, our Senior Nurse Cardiac said: “While some people have adopted healthier habits during lockdown, many others have found themselves concerned about their long term physical and mental health. National Heart Month is the perfect opportunity to make small changes to your lifestyle that could help make a big difference to your heart health. Small changes, such as moving more, cutting down on alcohol, and eating a more balanced diet can have a big impact.
“Many people find setting a goal a great way to get motivated. If you need help getting started, challenges, such as MyCycle and My Step Challenge, are a fun and easy way to make some healthy changes and could raise vital funds for our life saving research.”
MyCycle and My Step Challenge are virtual fundraising challenges from the BHF designed to motivate you to move more by setting a biking or walking target to achieve across the month.
You can also take part in Heart Month and help us raise money with a variety of activities and promotions from our corporate partners – from Mint Velvet stylish clothing to personalised gifts from Emma Bridgewater there are plenty of ways to support.