Boosting Your Heart Health Will Make You Happier – and You’ll Live Longer!
All the organs in your body work together and are really important, but your heart is, well, vital. So taking care of it should be a priority. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to do. (And you don’t need new equipment or any medication!). Here are the top 5 ways to boost your heart health.
Heart Health #1 – Avoid Polluted Air
Depending on where you live, avoiding polluted air may be easier said than done. And air pollution is lousy for your heart health.
It’s always better to exercise outdoors. But did you know that pollution is generally at its highest in the mornings? (Most people think it’s highest in the evenings).
PM2.5 (damaging air pollution from traffic and factories) drops off during the day. Ozone pollution is generally worst at about noon. So plan your outdoor activity between about 2 and 6 pm if you live in a polluted city.
Heart Health #2 – Reduce Your Stress
Stress is horrible – and a major cause of heart disease. Stress puts huge strain on your heart which is likely to cause long-term problems.
You might be able to remove or avoid the cause or causes of your stress – or you might not.
Either way, how well you cope with stress determines your body’s reaction.
You need to set aside time for rest and relaxation. Consider yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy and any other form of relaxation therapy.
Just doing some simple Yoga stretches, for example, can make a BIG difference when you do them every day. Yes, they help to keep you supple, but more importantly, they relax you and make you feel happier.
Check out my super-simple stretches on video here – and there are some meditation audios also included! So you’ll get the best of both worlds – and a shortcut to relaxation and stress reduction.
And click the picture below – you’ll have 5 super-simple ways to quickly de-stress delivered straight to your inbox.
Slash your stress!
Join this fun 5-day challenge – see how 5 super simple Yoga stretches can help you de-stress. It’s FREE!
Eat for Your Heart
Junk food / convenience food just doesn’t work (although it’s fine to eat convenience food occasionally).
Eat whole foods (not processed) that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Think raspberries, fresh fish, yummy fresh smoothies (click here) and lots of different-colored vegetables.
You don’t have to eat boring, tasteless food. Avocadoes and dark chocolate are really good for you in moderation, and so are spices and herbs.
Heart Health #4 – Keep Active
Most of us are a lot more sedentary than our ancestors (I certainly am – I spend waaaaay too much time sitting in front of my computer).
And that’s a bit of an insult to your heart!
If you enjoy keeping fit, that’s great! Personally, I’m not a fan, but I do really enjoy my daily walks. At the very least you should walk for 20 minutes a few times a week. A brisk walk is the best, but do what you can. The important thing is to keep moving.
There are other ways too. Use stairs instead of an elevator or lift. Choose to park further away from shops or offices so you have to walk further.
Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, so not only will your heart be happier, but your mind will as well.
Heart Health #5 – Sleep Well!
Scientists have always known that sleep is really important. But new advances in sleep research now show that getting enough good sleep is more important for our health than we ever realized.
Some studies have shown that people who suffer from insomnia have almost a 50% higher chance of developing some form of heart disease than those who are able to get an average of 8 hours of quality, restful sleep at a time.
Alternatively, sleeping over 9 hours a night on a regular basis can be damaging to your heart’s health via secondary conditions such as depression or obesity.
Find out how to get a great night’s sleep – starting tonight!
Conclusion
The good news is that eating good food and practising relaxation techniques are enjoyable things to do. Keeping moving makes you feel happy (endorphins), and also makes it easier for you to fall asleep. And now you know what times to be outside to avoid the worst air pollution, you’ll be healthier.
So, all these solutions work together to boost your heart health – and they’re fun, too!
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Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to join the 5-day Yoga to De-Stress Challenge – it’s fun! You’ll be glad you did. Click here to join – it’s FREE!
