February is Heart Health Month. Let's do a few things to help it.
February is Heart Health Month. Keeping the heart healthy and happy is critical of course. Here are a few ways to help to protect the heart.
Start an exercise program. Walking, swimming, or riding a bike are all great ways to start working your cardiovascular system. Keeping the blood pumping and filling our bodies with oxygen are very important for every aspect of our bodies and minds.
Finding something you enjoy doing really is what keeps you moving. Always check with your medical practitioner or doctor before starting any exercise program.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein. Did you know the more colors you put on your plate, the more your body wants to jump right in there and eat. You start eating with your eyes seeing what’s before you, the nose smells all the scents and the mouth starts salivating in anticipation. Just thinking about it gets you ready.
Get regular check ups. Yep. Staying in touch with your health practitioner. This will enable them to notice if any new changes are occurring and this is the perfect time to let them know anything new you noticed. This seems to be a tough one for most people but if no one says anything then the practitioner cannot follow up on it.
Keep Life Light
Since February is Heart Health Month why not start a new practice of bringing some happy moments into your life.
When stress is decreased your entire body feels better, including your heart.
Try this right now. Start laughing. I know this sounds silly, but give it a try. Keep laughing until it is a natural laugh and see how your body feels now. Amazing right!
Just for You
Think of some fun things that you can do to celebrate heart health month.
Perhaps you can take a bubble bath, invite some friends over and play some games or cook together. Spend some time with your pet(s), take some time for you, meditate, journal, color, whatever you enjoy, find time every day if possible otherwise at least 4-5 times a week.
Everyone can find 10 minutes or so a day to do something just for themselves. Your family, friends and body will thank you for it.
Here are some hard statistics for you from the American Heart Association and World Health Federation.
Heart disease is one of the most widespread and complicated health challenges in the United States and around the world. Cardiovascular disease — disorders of the heart and blood vessels — accounted for more than 860,000 (about one in three) deaths in the United States in 2017, according to the American Heart Association.
Worldwide, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, killing 17.9 million people every year — a number that’s expected to grow past 23.6 million by 2030. About 80 percent of these deaths are from heart attack and stroke, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Heart Federation.
This just puts things into perspective for everyone of how important it is to really take care of your heart.
What will you do to protect your heart? The smallest thing can provide some of the biggest results.
Remember, you are important. If you do not take care of yourself, how can you be your best around others. Self care is not selfish it is selfless.
Reach out if you would like help with any other ideas.
