The American Heart Association has excellent advice on healthy eating and participating in physical activity to reduce the incidence of heart disease. It also shares other information about steps crucial to caring for our hearts and health.
Nutrition is one of your best defenses when it comes to heart disease. Start with small, manageable changes, such as adding more vegetables to your lunches and dinners. Once you are comfortable with getting 4-5 servings per day, then focus on another nutritional change, such as reducing total sugar or fat in your daily diet. Here is an excellent place to look for nutrition information. Spend time clicking on and reading the various topics until you find something interesting.
Reduce Your Sugar Intake
Eat More Vegetables
Get 150 Minutes of Movement Weekly
The old saying, “Move it or lose it!” is so true. Sitting less daily and moving up to 150+ minutes weekly can keep your heart healthy. Your physical activity routine doesn’t necessarily need to be a heavy workout at the gym. Walking when you can or climbing a few sets of stairs can contribute to better overall health. Maybe you want to focus on your target heart rate. The American Heart Association has a guide you can use to determine your target heart rate by age.
If you have been working on nutrition and physical activity for a while, perhaps you might look at other habits such as sleep habits, being mindful, managing stress, quitting tobacco, and balancing other aspects of your life. Don’t underestimate the power of sleep and rest. Getting enough sleep can lower your blood pressure and help keep you at a healthy weight. Check out the American Heart Association’s tips for better sleep.
I encourage you to check out the American Heart Association’s website during February, National Heart Health Month, and see what changes you might make to improve your heart health. Remember, a few simple changes can make a big difference.