Love Your Heart
The new year is in full swing and flying by. Are you taking time to achieve your New Year’s resolutions? We might start with good intentions but slowly the motivation wanes.
WOMEN, don’t let that happen! Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States. As a nurse of 21 years I have seen so many young patients in surgery. Many exercised or ate low fat diets but they were still having heart attacks. What was the missing piece? Doctors agree there needs to be a holistic approach to our healthcare. Describing how to prevent heart disease, the American Heart Association states, “The real preventative power lies with real changes to your lifestyle – which can reduce the risk for heart disease by as much as 80 percent.”
Here are 7 simple steps to add a little love to your heart healthy lifestyle:
Have a regular exercise routine. Find something that you look forward to and doesn’t add more stress to your busy lifestyle.
Drink eight glasses of water a day. You won’t believe how this increases your energy level!!
Say ‘no’ to processed foods. If you can’t pronounce it – you shouldn’t eat it.
Fill up on seasonal fruits and vegetables. The internet is a lifesaver for amazing recipes & ways to get creative with veggies. Go on….try something new every week!
Eat more fiber. Whole grains will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Get your rest. Sleep is essential for your hormones to stay balanced and your body to repair itself.
Practice food awareness. Pay attention to mindless or stress eating – only eat if you’re hungry. Control your portions, eat slowly and create a relaxed atmosphere.
by Summer Chabala, RN
Read more about preventing heart disease: Heart.org