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According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 75% of adults reported having moderate to high levels of stress in the past 30 days, and nearly 50% reported that their stress has increased in the past year. It’s a sad truth, but stress is a huge issue that many of us deal with in the United States. While many people take action to reduce their stress, many people put stress problems on the back burner. Not only does stress do harm to your mental health, but it also has a negative effect on your physical health—especially your heart. However, there are some activities and other strategies you can do to reduce stress and increase your heart health. View some of these tips below to start treating your heart with the care it deserves:
Eat Healthy Fats
A huge culprit to poor heart health usually has to do with dieting choices. With high-calorie, sugary foods in abundance in the United States, eating healthy isn’t easy. When it comes to heart health, eating the right fats is key. To accomplish this, be sure to eat saturated, polyunsaturated, and unsaturated fats, but stay away from trans fat.
Sleep for at Least Six Hours Per Night
Another way to boost your heart health is to get enough sleep. No matter your age and health habits, not getting enough sleep can make you more prone to cardiovascular disease. Sleeping for more than six hours per night can lead to many health benefits—especially for your heart.
Ride a Bike
Staying active and getting exercise is a proven way to boost your heart health. However, due to the aggressive movement of running, many people don’t do it. A healthy alternative that is safer and less harsh on your body involves riding a bike. Keeping the blood pumping in your legs is great for your heart.
Go Swimming
Swimming goes down as one of the most beneficial activities for your heart. In fact, only two and a half hours of swimming per week provides you with all of the aerobic heart health benefits you need. So hop in a pool or lake and start swimming!
Take an Outdoor Stroll
Another easy yet effective exercise for your heart involves walking outdoors. Walking is enjoyable, safe, and easy to incorporate into your busy life. Try walking for at least 20 minutes per day to increase the health of your heart.
Give Your Brain a Break
Our brains weren’t created to think about 30 million things per day. The more stuff that’s on your mind, the more stress you will encounter. In addition, all of this thinking isn’t good for your heart health. Try to limit the time spent looking at your phone, watching TV, and checking emails.
Meditate
Even 10 minutes of meditation for two or three times per week has proven to be very effective at reducing stress and anxiety. In addition, meditation can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, which is great for your heart health.
Practice Yoga
Emerging studies on yoga suggest that it has many benefits for your heart health. From the different postures that work various muscles to the controlled breathing which brings in oxygen and reduces blood pressure, yoga can lead to improved heart health and improved well-being.
Aerobic Exercise
If you’re focusing on finding the best activities for your heart health, then aerobic exercise is in the discussion. This form of exercise reduces stress and anxiety, combats depression, reduces blood pressure, increases muscle strength, and much more. Try to find an aerobic exercise you love, then fit that into your schedule as many days as possible.
Remember to Have Fun
Another tactic to reduce stress and promote optimal heart health is simple—have more fun. While it’s easier said than done, having more fun in life can do wonders for your heart health and overall well-being. Try to think about the different areas of stress in your life, then figure out how to make those more enjoyable. Experiment with different ways of reducing stress and try to find enjoyment in everything that you do.
CardioKinetics is Focused on Your Heart Health
If you’re looking to take your heart health to the next level, then be sure to pick up the phone and call CardioKinetics today. Located in Newark, DE, CardioKinetics is a preventive health and wellness provider that offers biometric testing, health and wellness assessments, and other medical services to a wide variety of customers. The company focuses on offering a holistic approach to healthcare, and they look for natural, alternative forms of medicine to help treat injuries and increase the health and well-being of athletes, rehab patients, and other individuals. Here at CardioKinetics, we believe that the most important muscle in your body isn’t one you can see—it’s your heart.