Well it’s almost that time of year. We all see it. The hearts, the candy, the flower bouquets, the red, and the pink. You see it in stores starting precisely the day after Christmas, just like clockwork.
It is the holiday for showing love and being loved. And what is the universal symbol for love? It’s that anatomically incorrect, yet beautiful representation of the human heart. The most vital organ that keeps us alive and gives us that warm tingly feeling of love. That’s why this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to give everyone a few tips on staying heart healthy, because the best gift you can give a loved one is a healthy ticker.
What’s Up, Doc?
The first step in your plan for living a heart healthy life is to schedule a check up with your doctor. Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol will give you a good idea of the current state your heart is in and where you may need to work a little harder to stay healthy.
Taking the Necessary Steps
One of the most vital steps in keeping a healthy heart is to stay active. You don’t have to run a marathon or pump out any personal records on the bench press, but staying sedentary for extended periods of time can be detrimental to your heart.
The smart people who’ve earned the “Dr.” title in front of their name suggest we get—at the very least—30 minutes of exercise per day, five days a week.
Taking walks on your lunch break, using the stairs, or even just walking around the office for a few minutes every hour can be a great start for a healthy heart.
Keep Tight, Eat Right
I’m not gonna lie, I do love me the warm feeling of a greasy cheeseburger. But maybe that happy, fuzzy feeling is my arteries clogging? Either way, I know those cheeseburgers are a one-way trip to an unhealthy heart.
Fruits and veggies—along with clean, white meats and fish—are what’s on the menu for the Happy Heart Diner.
But what about snacking?
For those who love to snack, try nibbling on a little dark chocolate, savoring a handful of unsalted nuts, or adding some luxurious avocado to satisfy your cravings and cut out bad cholesterol.
Vanquish the Stress Monster
Ah, stress. That little emotion we all experience. You can just feel your heart ripping at the seams when you get that sick, stressed out feeling.
There is no way to totally eliminate stress, but taking some time out of your day to free your mind of stresses can do wonders for your well-being. Whether it’s exercise, yoga, reading a book, or jamming out to some righteous tunes, distracting yourself from daily stresses is extremely important for not only a healthy heart but also an overall sense of happiness and joy.
Supplements as Your Tag Team Partner
Sometimes it’s hard to get everything our heart needs from just diet and exercise alone. Luckily, there are nutritional supplements out there ready to be tagged in so they can finish the job of making your heart the Undefeated Champion of the World.
Taking supplements such as: fiber, garlic, fish oil, CoQ10, and grape seed extract have all been found to help promote a healthy heart.
Whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day with bae, enjoying a lovely evening with friends (pets included), or kickin’ it by yourself, make sure you take care of the thing that loves you the most: your beautiful, amazing heart!
Written by Steve Kostrencich
Yours to a Happy Heart.. Always..
Lorene Hochstetler