Easy Ways to Improve Heart Health
By Sara Butler
Taking care of your heart is important. No doubt you pay attention to what you eat and how much you exercise, but you shouldn't stop there. There are some easy and unexpected things you can do to ensure the continued heart health. Here are a few heart-healthy habits you should give a try.
Cuddle Up
Take a page out of the sea otters handbook and have a cuddle party! Research shows that snuggling up with people you care about releases a hormone called oxytocin to help reduce your blood pressure and help relieve stress. So, in order to care for your heart, have a cuddle.
Laugh More
When you have a good laugh, it dilates your blood vessels to help increase blood flow. This helps reduce your overall blood pressure. That means it's time to break out your old Monty Python collection and get those giggles going!
Have Some Chocolate
Cocoa has a ton of antioxidants. These nutrients help to support a healthy immune system to fight off damage to your body. That's right -- all your chocolate wellness dreams have just come true. Simply make sure to choose chocolate with a high cocoa concentration and not as much sugar.
Spend Quality Time with Your Pet
It's well documented that people with pets also have lower blood pressure, helping decrease their risk of heart disease. Who would've guessed that petting old Rover would help your heart so much? People with pets also tend to be more active, so don't forget to play with your furry friend today.
Enjoy Meatless Mondays
A study published by researchers at the University of Oxford shows that people who eat less meat, as well as vegetarians, reduce their heart disease risk by serious amounts. You don't have to commit to a totally meatless diet, but the less meat you eat, the better off your heart may be.
Stand Up More
Sitting is an epidemic these days, whether it's done at work or home. And all that sitting means that you may be at increased risk for heart disease. Make sure to take plenty of breaks if you sit at work all day to get up and move around, or take a walk each day when you get home from work to help keep your heart healthy.
There are so many ways beyond eating right and exercising you can focus on the health of your heart. Give these suggestions a try!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Columbus, Ohio.