Not only is February the month of Love, it is also Heart Health Month.
Fortunately, taking care of your heart isn’t as hard as you might think. Start with the foods you eat.
Make sure you’re getting enough of these heart healthy essential nutrients –
- Anti-oxidants (especially vitamins C & E and lycopene)
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D (get out in the sun a little!)
- B vitamins
- Omega 3s (fish, fish oil, flaxseed oil)
- CoQ10
- magnesium
- niacin
- potassium
- zinc
Here are some of the top heart healthy foods –
- Acai berries
- almonds
- apples
- apple cider vinegar
- asparagus
- avocado
- banana
- beans
- blueberries
- broccoli
- brown rice
- carrots
- cashews
- cayenne pepper
- cherries (dark)
- chocolate – dark
- cranberries
- flax seed
- fruit
- garlic
- dark leafy greens
- green tea
- fish
- oatmeal
- olive oil
- onions
- red bell peppers
- potatoes
- pumpkin
- red wine
- spinach
- sweet potatoes
- watermelon
- whole grains
That’s a diet that’s easy to live with, isn’t it? Lots of good stuff!
I drink my cranberry juice to keep my arteries clear. I love almost all of the foods on the heart healthy list, and make sure to take vitamins – including CoQ10.
Next – Exercise
You need both cardio and weight training. You can get cardio by brisk walking, interval walking, taking the stairs, dancing, …
Resistance Bands are the easiest way to build muscle strength. You can also find exercises online, or you can go to the gym. Things like planks, squats, sit to stand are all ways to build strength.
Of course, adequate sleep is a must.
Social interaction is also important. We are pack animals. We were never meant to live in isolation. That is where Covid did a lot of damage. Spend time with people – face to face.
The healthiest people practice their faith.
Laugh often. It’s good for you Reduce stress. Actually, if you do all of the above, you’ll find that your stress levels will naturally decrease.Look for the best in every situation and every person.
Practice gratitude.
Appreciate the beauty of nature.
A good portion of heart health is attitude. Keep yours positive! Think of it this way – hatred is bad for your heart. Do everything with love.
Its the difference between making dinner because you have to, or because you love your family. You’ll even find your cooking is better when you do it with love!
