Heart Health Tips

February is heart health month. So, let’s say Thank You to our heart by keeping it healthy with these heart healthy tips.

Reduce Stress-Chronic stress can negatively affect your health. There are many ways you can reduce stress in your life. Here are a few: yoga, meditation, or deep breathing techniques. If you have a stressful job take 5 minutes every hour to close your eyes and take 10 deep breaths. This will help to slow your heart rate down and stop the flight/fight response in your body.
Exercise-Exercise will help your heart stay strong and help reduce stress in your body. Do 30 minutes of exercise for 5 days per week. Start by doing what you like: walking, running, lifting weights then add in some new exercises or try a group exercise class to learn new exercises.
Eat Healthy-Stick with protein, whole wheat carbohydrates, fruit, and veggies. If you eat out often try eating out 1 day less and eating at home. You will be able to control your portions and choose what kind of food to eat. Try this heart healthy muffin recipe from Women’s Health Magazine: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/breakfast-foods-muffins
Keep your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. The above 3 tips, reducing stress, exercising and eating a healthy diet will help you keep weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. If you don’t know your blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar numbers head to your local physician and get tested.

Let’s keep our heart happy and healthy with these easy tips!