Posted by Heart Hugger on Mar 26, 2021 12:26:08 PM
Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, and while most of us know that we should be eating right and exercising to reduce our risk, what are some not as well-known ways to get heart healthy?
The good news is, that some of these less-known ways to take care of your heart might be things that you are already doing, or would like to start doing anyway, and we consider that a win-win! Heart health isn’t just about doing (or not doing) one or two things. Ideally, it’s a wholesome list of activities, habits, and patterns that won’t only enhance your heart health, but the rest of your life as well!
So what are some things you can do to improve your heart health that you might not have heard before?
Stretch Yourself
While there is no substitute for vigorous exercise, adding gentle stretches to your exercise routine has been shown to improve the health of your blood vessels, along with all the other benefits that stretching provides to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Regular stretching can prevent injuries, improve blood flow, and help you recover faster from more strenuous exercise as well.
Take a Bath
If you were looking for a justification to take a bath every day, here it is! Taking a hot bath every day not only lowers your blood pressure (which is important for heart-health) but also can help alleviate stress, which is another important component of heart-health too! Don’t forget the bubbles!
Do Something You Love
Hobbies and self-care that allow you to take a break, slow things down, and focus on something lovely have been proven to lower blood pressure, stress levels and improve other markers of good heart health as well. Tai Chi for instance is a great way to take care of your head, your heart and your sense of well-being too.
Take that Vacation
Stress reduction isn’t just about feeling good, it’s also about being good to your heart, and skipping or postponing those vacations isn’t good for either of you! So take that vacation (even if it’s just a day-trip or for a night), and remember to unplug, turn off, and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells around you.
Eat Fun Foods
Heart health isn’t just about what you DON’T eat, it’s also about what you DO eat, and eating should be fun! Add some beans to your salsa for a boost of fiber, grab some almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Slice up an apple or a pear, eat a piece of dark chocolate, and top that salad with fresh avocado, and have a glass of red wine to top it off. Enjoy being good to you, and good to your heart.
Love
Life can get busy. Health concerns, stress, and all our other adult responsibilities aren’t just hard on our heart, they are hard on our relationships as well. We gave you an excuse to take a bath earlier, now we are giving you an excuse to slow things down, and make time for you and your partner. Studies suggest that regular intimacy is good for your heart health, so plan that upcoming date night, and enjoy the company.
We hope you found some inspiration with this list of heart-healthy ways to enjoy your life, and hope you can share it with your friends and loved ones too!
Are you looking for more heart-friendly tips and tricks for every stage of life? Check out the rest of our blog!
