As soon as February hits, what do we think about? Snow, cold and the Super Bowl. But let’s be honest, ladies, we can’t talk about February without thinking about our hearts.
Our hearts are good to us, so we have to take care of them. Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US? February is American Heart Month so there’s no better time than now to learn heart health basics.
First, focus on your mental health! Mental health and physical health are linked, so the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends you find ways to reduce stress. Reducing stress can be as easy as positive self-talk. Remind yourself you can do tough things and everything will be okay. Also, find stress-free activities like reading, taking a walk or painting. Don’t forget to schedule “you” time during your busy days.
Second, move more! A lot of us may be working from home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our bodies moving. Bundle up and get outside for a quick walk or find some at-home workouts you can do. Moving around boosts our immune system and improves our overall health.
Finally, eat healthy. The AHA says a healthy diet is one of the best weapons to help fight cardiovascular disease. The organization advises eating a variety of nutritional foods from all the food groups, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts and skinless poultry and fish. Limit saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, red meat and sweets.
