Did you know February is considered "Heart Month" in the UK? With matters of the heart all around us, take a moment to explore these simple ways to look after your heart and reduce stress in retirement.
This time of year, charities like the British Heart Foundation share excellent reminders and tips, helping us to focus and pay a bit more attention to our hearts. Not just as organs that keep us going, but as the centre of our feelings and the things we care about most.
And for many people, thoughts about “what next?” – staying put, moving, being nearer family, managing money – are never too far away. All of that sits firmly in what we’re calling “Matters of the Heart”:
looking after your physical heart
protecting your emotional wellbeing
and thinking carefully about where and how you want to live in this next chapter.
Heart Month is a good prompt to look at the small, everyday things that can support your heart. Nothing drastic, nothing perfect – just realistic ideas that many people find helpful.
Everyone’s situation is different, so it’s important to talk to your GP, practice nurse or cardiac team before making changes to medication, exercise or treatment. But here are a few areas to think about and perhaps discuss with them.
Introducing gentle movement into your every day could look like short walks to the shop, a few extra minutes pottering in the garden or choosing stairs instead of lifts when it feels safe. You don’t have to join a gym or start jogging. For many people, the most helpful movement is simple and repeatable. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you might like our quick guide to unique ways to keep fit in your sixties.
Keeping up with health appointments for blood pressure checks, annual reviews and blood tests is incredibly important. If you're taking any prescribed medication for your heart, blood pressure or cholesterol, always let your GP or nurse know if side effects are making life difficult, rather than stopping medication on your own.
Small tweaks to food or drink can make all the difference. Try adding an extra portion of veg or fruit where you can, eating smaller portions of salty or fatty foods, and keep an eye on alcohol if it affects sleep or mood.
Peace of mind in case of an emergency can be reassuring. You might find it helpful to refresh your knowledge of CPR using trusted resources, such as the British Heart Foundation’s free online RevivR tool, which teaches CPR in around 15 minutes at home. Your GP surgery or local community groups can also point you in the right direction if you’d prefer an in-person CPR session or other heart-health support.
Heart care isn’t just about blood pressure and pulse rates. The worries we carry can feel heavy on the heart too.
Big questions about where to live, how long you can manage in your current home, or how to be closer to family can take up a lot of headspace. Add in money concerns or health changes, and it’s easy to feel worn down.
You might notice that when you’re under long-term stress you:
sleep less well
have less appetite or rely more on quick, less healthy food
feel too tired to do the very things that usually help, like walking or seeing people
find yourself going over the same questions again and again late at night.
This is a very human response to feeling under pressure. But carrying it all alone can make everything feel heavier. Talking things through with someone you trust can help lighten the load a little, whether that's a partner or close friend, your GP, practice nurse or another professional.
If you’re looking to widen your circle or rebuild connections, you might also like our guide to finding friendships later in life.
You don’t have to have all the answers before you start talking. Sometimes just saying “this is sitting on my chest a bit” is a powerful first step.
If your home, or the idea of moving, is on your mind, it can help to ask a few gentle questions:
Who do I want to be near?
Would being closer to children, grandchildren, friends or support services ease some of the worry?
What kind of home would feel easier?
This could look like fewer stairs or steps, a smaller or more manageable garden, or better access to shops, buses, doctors or community groups.
What outgoings feel comfortable?
What level of regular bills would help me feel more at ease and would a change help me worry less about money month to month?
There is no single “right” answer. For some people, small changes at home are enough. For others, a move to a different area or type of property makes everyday life feel lighter on both heart and mind.
If you’d like a bit more structure as you think things through, our guide “Five questions to ask before your next move” can be a helpful place to start.
The key is that any decision supports your health, your sense of security and the people who matter to you.
At Homewise, we speak every day with people aged 60 and over who are thinking about these kinds of questions. Some are ready to move. Others simply know something needs to change but don’t know what that looks like yet.
With the Home for Life Plan, you choose the home you want and pay a one-off amount (that's thousands less than the market value) to own the legal right to live there. You have a Lifetime Lease which protects your right to live in your home, with no ongoing rent or mortgage payments, for life.
It won't be the right option for everyone, but we're here to talk you and your family through how it works in plain English, so you can decide if it’s something you’d like to explore.
So, if Heart Month has you thinking not just about your heart but about where and how you want to live, get in touch with our team for a straightforward chat about your options. No pressure, no rush – just a conversation about your own Matters of the Heart.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always speak to your GP or healthcare team about your own health or before making changes to medication, exercise or treatment.