February is often thought of as the month for all things related to love, but you may not have thought that this relates to the health of your heart as well! In this blog post, we’ll share a couple of ways you can show your heart some love this February.
Use spices and herbs to season your meals
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, impacting one out of every four people. Reducing or removing salt from your diet can help you avoid gaining weight, lower your blood pressure and keep your arteries free from clogs – which all in all can help lower your risk for heart disease!
Take a look at a few tasty heart-healthy recipes!
Make physical activity a regular part of your day
Fitting some physical activity into your day isn’t as difficult as you may think. Just 22 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your heart’s health. If that’s too much for you, that’s O.K. but it’s important to find out what you can do and stick to a regular routine! If a 10-minute walk up and down the block with your dog is what’s comfortable for you then do it! If 25 jumping jacks every time there’s a commercial break in a show you’re watching sounds good then give that a try. Just make sure you’re doing something to get your heart pumping!
Try meditation before bed! Stress can lead to a higher risk of heart attack
Did you know that high-stress levels can lead to a higher risk of a heart attack? For some individuals, reducing stress can be one of the most difficult heart disease risk factors to avoid. Feeling stressed is normal, and with work, families, and finances it can sometimes feel impossible to avoid feeling stressed out. Taking just 10 minutes a day to yourself to meditate and focus on your mental health can make a big difference. You should also consider talking to a professional, friend, or pastor if you’re having a hard time coping with stressful situations in your life. Everyone feels stressed sometimes! There’s no shame in looking for help.
