This post is a love letter to your heart muscle! Not only is it the month of Valentine’s Day, but February is heart health month and that is a great time to show your heart some TLC.
And your heart totally deserves it — did you know this hard-working muscle can beat around 3 billion times over your lifetime?
Pretty amazing, right? Your heart deserves as much support as you can give it to keep it strong and supple.
Here are some eye-opening stats showing why that’s so important:
- Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack….
- And every 37 seconds in the U.S., someone dies from cardiovascular disease.
It’s also the top killer in Australia, Canada and many parts of Europe.
Pretty scary! But the good news is there are some very simple things you can do starting today to take care of your heart.
For a healthy heart …
→ Eat more plants. Start by eating an extra veggie or fruit every day.
→ Add cold-water fish (like salmon) to your diet, because they are rich in heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
→ Work out: both cardio and strength training exercise can help keep your heart strong.
→ Snack on raw nuts instead of sugary, processed foods (i.e., chips and cookies).
→ Avoid high-calorie (and sugary!) drinks like flavored lattes and soda. Drink water instead.
→ Practice deep breathing or meditation. These can help lower your blood pressure.
→ Every day, take a few minutes to say thanks. Having a gratitude practice is linked with better heart health.
What will you do today to show your heart some love?
Thomas Fitness Consulting was launched in 2017 after Laura Thomas decided to fulfill her dream of helping professional women and expecting and new mothers find strength and energy through movement and accountability support. She currently serves the greater Westlake and Broadview Heights areas in-person and also offers virtual coaching. For more information, visit thomasfitnessconsulting.com.
