With Valentine’s day upon us, thoughts of roses, chocolates, and plush stuffed animals are on many people’s minds. Everywhere you look you see infinite shades of red, cupid and his bow, and hearts. Lots of hearts. Everywhere! Giving your heart to someone on Valentine’s Day is a tell-tale sign of love, but don’t you want to make sure your heart is the strongest, healthiest heart it can be for that special someone? After all, on average, your heart will beat about 115,000 times every day! Here are a few ways to ensure that your heart is the best that it can be.
- Get Moving!
Your heart is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, it needs exercise to get stronger. It is recommended that you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Does 30 minutes of exercise seem like a daunting task? Something as simple as going for a 30-minute brisk walk can do wonders for you heart health.
- Eat Well
A great example of a heart-healthy diet is the Mediterranean diet. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables and non-red meat products such as fish. You will also want to add whole grains and beans to ensure a strong heart. Here is a list of foods you should focus on consuming;
- Fish and other seafood
- Beans
- Vegetables (the darker or more vibrant the color, the better)
- Whole grain foods
- Fruits
The most important foods to limit are foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat. These can have a direct effect on your heart by increasing the chances arterial blockage or they can have an indirect effect by causing weight gain. The more you weigh the harder your heart must work to get blood to all parts of your body. Here is a list of foods you should limit;
- Red meat
- Deep-fried food
- Pre-packaged foods
- Margarine
- Bakery products
- Relax
One of the biggest strains on your heart is…stress! A lot of people think stress is an emotional issue that doesn’t have an impact on the body when that could not be farther from the truth. Stress can cause a change in your hormone levels which can alter how your body works. It is thought that stress triggers inflammation which can cause a wide variety of problems in the body. Stress can also cause indirect effects to your heart health such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and overeating.
- Get adjusted
When your spine is out of alignment, especially at the top of your neck, it can cause a lot of negative issues in the body. One of the most prominent issues being an increase in blood pressure. Studies have shown that an adjustment can decrease your blood pressure which means a healthier heart!
- Sleep
Sleep is a time for our bodies to recover from the day and process all the information gathered. Without enough sleep, we can’t recover and that puts our bodies into a constant state of stress. Stress, as we learned before, can have a myriad of detrimental influences on your body. Research has shown that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep to get the full benefit. Not sure if you’re getting enough sleep? If you are always hitting the snooze button and have a hard time getting out of bed, you may need more sleep.
So, there you have it, if you want to give your heart to another this Valentine’s Day, make sure it’s the best heart it can be! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information!