Give Your Heart a Break
February is Heart Month. Are you prepared? What should you do?
Realistically, what you do in February is what you should be doing the other 11 months. It’s all about your health and taking care of yourself.
If you need a refresher or reminder:
- Eat healthy. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to reduce your risk of heart disease. Half of your grains should be whole grains. Choose lean sources protein. Don’t forget to get enough calcium in your diet to help lower blood pressure. And what about those heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids? Naturally, you can eat fatty fish two times a week.
- Be physically active 30-60 minutes a day. Your heart is a muscle. Exercise it to keep it strong. Cardio is an excellent way to lower blood pressure.
- Maintain a normal weight. Excess body weight can contribute to elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
- Maintain a normal blood pressure of no more than 130/80. – Maybe invest in a blood pressure cuff to hold yourself accountable. Get regular blood work done and keep an eye on your cholesterol levels. You can’t feel elevated levels. If needed, take medication. It will save your life.
- Control stress. If you have suffered from a “broken heart”, give yourself a break. Yoga and mediation have been around for centuries for a reason! It works! Take a class. Go online. There are plenty of resources.
Not too bad. Right? February is a good time to reset, in case you have already forgotten about your New Year’s Resolutions. 😉
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