Stress Busters

I have always loved when someone tells me that it is good for me to lower my stress. Now, if I knew how to do that then wouldn't my stress already be lower. But stress is bad for your heart, so I went to find some ideas on this topic.

1. Think positive. No, I don't mean "I am positive this won't work" type of thinking. But rather thoughts like "Tomorrow will be better" or "Someday, I am going to find this funny."
2. Daily relaxation. Nope, sitting in front of the TV doesn't count. Instead, maybe try some meditation. There are some wonderful guided ones for beginners. Although, personally I prefer Tai Chi.
3. Develop some stress busters. I like deep breathing. Inhale the good thoughts. Exhale the bad. Saying sorry when I screw also seems to work.  My husband likes to unwind while walking the dog.
4. Play. When the worlds gets to you, go do something fun. Go to a movie with a friend, read a book, or even play tennis. Remember the fun in life. Smell a flower, write a story, or volunteer for an organization you support.

American Heart Month is coming to an end. But, I hope that you will continue to work on improving your cardiac health. Just because this month is almost over, does not mean you can't set a personal goal for the rest of the year.

5 Things I am Doing for My Heart

 

1. Move more! Park the car and walk to spots less than two miles away unless I have to carry more than my backpack holds.
2. Consuming more beta-carotene rich foods! Carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens and even apricots are rich in beta-carotene and so yummy. Add the fact that they can reduce your stroke risk by 40% and it’s a win-win.
3. Get and give hugs! Studies have shown that people who are touched lovingly often have fewer heart problems than the control group. I just have to be careful that those I hug want one.
4. No fad or crash diets! While I would love to be skinny, frequent dieting and restrictive diets can weaken the heart muscle. Instead, I am going to make eating lifestyle changes is improve the quality of my diet. Small steps that can last a lifetime.
5. Reduce the sodium in my food! I’m avoiding prepackaged foods. Substituting other seasonings for salt. Did you know that oregano on subs can fool your palate into thinking you have added salt?

Small steps are easier to maintain. Why don’t you pick a few little things you can do to improve your cardiac health? Try them for American Heart Month. Maybe the changes will last a lifetime!

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, sponsered by American Heart Association.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both genders in the United States. In fact, over 600,000 Americans die from it each year. 

What are somethings you could do to participate?

• Take a CPR class. CPR is a vital step in the cardiac chain of survival. It allows a responder to manually circulate oxygen carrying blood to the heart, brain, and other vital organs delaying biological death.
• Learn how to use an AED and where they are located. Every minute the use of an AED is delayed decreases the chances of reviving a victim of sudden cardiac arrest by 10%.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Early recognition and activiation of the Emergency Medical Services System is critical. Personally, I say if I call EMS fast enough, they may get to the victim before she loses consciousness. This keeps me from needing to use my CPR skills.
• Realize that the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are different for men and women.
• Quit smoking.
• Start exercising.
• Eat healthier.

There are many ways to help decrease your chances of developing heart disease. My Sunday blog posts in February are going to feature Heart topics.

I hope everyone has a Heart Healthy month!