7 Steps to Better Heart Health

7 Steps to Better Heart Health

Guest Post Written By Aurora McCausland

We all want to be healthier. If you’re healthier, you not only live longer, but you enjoy your life better for the years that you are alive. There’s no point in living an incredibly long life if you’re sick and miserable the entire time when you have the ability to make your life better and enjoyable. There are so many aspects of health and taking care of yourself that it can feel overwhelming and impossible to manage. It can be hard to know where to start. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or difficult to maintain and begin to implement a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Take a 10-minute walk every day

This seems like such a small effort that it won’t actually make a difference in your life, but it really will. A 10-minute walk is something that almost anyone can accomplish, no matter what their fitness levels are. Go at whatever pace you feel comfortable at, but make sure that you take that chance every single day to get moving and get some fresh air. And even if you already do exercise, a little daily walk is a great addition to any workout routine.

Eat an extra fruit or vegetable daily

Fresh fruits and vegetables are not only inexpensive, but they’re all a tasty way to add a little bit extra fiber to your diet. Fruits and vegetables are beneficial to your whole body, from your brain to your bowels, and everything in between, including your heart.

Have a heart-healthy breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you the energy you need to get you through the day and fuels you until it’s time to eat lunch. Skipping breakfast will leave you exhausted, and you’re also missing a great opportunity to fill your body with the nutrients that it needs to function properly. A great breakfast to start your day with would include some fruit, and a serving of whole grains such as whole wheat toast or oatmeal.

Decrease your alcohol consumption

Of all of the damaging things that you could do to your body, excessive drinking is definitely one of the most detrimental. Individuals that drink even a moderate amount have double the risk of both heart attacks and strokes, as this article details. If you combine this with other, pre-existing health conditions, this can dramatically increase the chances of someone experiencing heart failure or a stroke.

Don’t drink your calories

While on the topic of drinking, a lot of people consume most of their daily calories through drinks. And this doesn’t even necessarily include alcoholic drinks. If you were to cut out just one drink of soda or a sweetened latte a day, you would considerably lower a number of calories that you’re consuming every single day. In fact, just by cutting back on one sugary drink a day, you’ll save yourself at least 200 calories a day, if not more (it depends on the drink). That translates into a 10-pound weight loss over the course of a year.

Incorporate seafood into your diet

Seafood is filled with Omega 3 fatty acids, which is a healthy fat. When you think about heart health you usually don’t think about fats. But, many of your organs (including your heart) are made up of fatty tissues. You just need to make sure you’re feeding your body the right kinds of fats, not the kind you’ll find in pastries and cookies. Seafood is also a lean protein, which also helps build and rebuild muscle.

Lift some light weights

One of the keys to having a healthy heart is to keep your entire body healthy and functioning correctly. You don’t need to go crazy and get a gym membership tomorrow, but lifting a few light weights every single day will help you develop some light muscle tone and improve your natural stamina and endurance. Giving your body a little bit extra strength will help you enjoy your everyday life and give you energy for happier days.

Let’s Chat, What are some ways you try to keep your heart healthy?