Heart health is an important part of self-care in all aspects. The emotional, social, and physical welfare of your heart is necessary for a person to function correctly with the most important being the latter. Like engines, the heart, along with the brain, makes the entire body function. It is always active, even when we sleep, as the body needs blood to survive.
Fulfilling the needs of the human heart can be tedious. However, it is something that will be appreciated in the long run. But as was found out by science, conditioning the mind and body can be achieved through habit-forming. Read on to learn simple ways of taking care of your heart.
Healthy Diet
One of the more challenging steps on the list. Eating is not only an important activity but an elating one as well. Eating can be done socially, and thus, can often get out of control. However, you can follow these steps to manage your eating habits:
Smart Eating
Knowing what you will get from what you eat can help you formulate a well-balanced diet.
For example, salmon, sardines, and mackerel are rich in omega-3. Omega-3 decreases the fat in the blood helps keep arteries clear and stabilizes the heart’s rhythm.
Introducing more vegetables and limiting red meat, and sugary & oily foods is already a big step. But knowing what nutrients you need and identifying where you can get them will make for a fun cooking experience and lead to new discoveries too.
Portioning Your Food
A healthy diet does not mean limiting your options. However, knowing how much you eat is as important as what you eat. Some people portion according to calorie contribution, but others do it by weighing the actual items. Eating sinful food is still on the table, but for a healthier heart, it only has to be at a certain amount.
In addition to a better nutrition distribution in the body, a healthy well-balanced diet will also allow you to lose or maintain your weight.
Maintain Weight
Attaining a desirable weight according to your body and lifestyle is a great way to not only look good but take care of your heart as well.
Obesity and even abnormal weight have been pegged a health risk for a reason, being this will potentially lead to heart-related diseases. This is why maintaining a weight according to your frame and leading a more active lifestyle has always been recommended by health professionals everywhere.
Increase Physical Activity
Research has shown that people with a sedentary lifestyle tend to have a higher risk of contracting heart disease than those who do not. Introducing physical activity into your current lifestyle allows you to build a stronger body, not only physically, but also protects you better from diseases. Additionally, exercise or any physical activity as a social activity lets you become happier and look good without having to notice the effort too.
Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
People love to party. And it is no secret that alcohol makes parties and other social functions more fun. However, too much alcohol will not only damage your liver but also lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and even stroke.
Quit Smoking
Another tip for having a healthy heart is to stop smoking. It damages your heart and blood vessels which may put you at risk of developing hypertension, having a heart attack, or stroke. No matter how long you have been a smoker, you will still benefit from quitting today.
It always pays to be informed.
Taking care of your heart is not only for during the Valentines’ season, but should be observed every day. It will make you feel great, and save you from future diseases too. It may seem easy, but it will require discipline, work, and following through.
Taking care of your health is always a top concern. Not just for you but for us as well. That’s why we aim to make your consultations easier. With voice and video consultations, a record of your consultations, and more, the Medgate app is here to make you worry less.
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References:
- https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy
- https://www.webmd.com/heart/heart-health-tips
- https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-heart-tips
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502