Heart Healthy
Tips
Your heart is a
precious organ—a source of life, vitality, and love. Keeping it
healthy means taking care of your body, mind, and spirit. Eating a
balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding cigarette
smoke are obvious must-dos for staying vital. Here are some other
smart and not-so-apparent tips to keep your heart beating
strong.
Take a Deep Breath
A simple deep
breath can calm your nerves and ease your mind in just a few short
seconds. Even better, try this: Inhale for a count of four, hold
your breath for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four.
Repeat four times and feel your body unwind, your stresses melt
away, and your blood pressure drop!
Drink Tea
Adding ginger and cayenne to your diet can
improve your circulation and blood flow. A simple tea of ginger, a
pinch of cayenne, lemon, and honey is a delicious remedy if you are
feeling sluggish and in need of a
boost.
Get Moving
Besides shedding unwanted pounds,
exercise lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, relieves
stress, boosts energy levels, and improves the way you look and
feel. However, if the very idea of exercise bores you to tears, put
a spin on it: Sign up for salsa lessons, find a gym buddy, or join
a sports team. Make it social so moving that booty is a
breeze.
Smile
Your heart is your center of love,
and a heart problem may signal a lack of joy in your life. The
easiest remedy for this is as simple as a smile. Think of something
good in your life or remember the last thing that made you laugh
out loud. Keep joy, a positive attitude, and a good sense of humor
handy and see how much happier life can
be.
Fall in
Love
You don’t have to
have the man of your dreams in order to love; you can love a puppy,
a kitten, your grandparents, your best friend, or even a new hobby.
Find someone or something that you’re passionate about and
recognize the beauty and bliss it
brings.
Get
a Foot Rub
Treat your heart using your feet! Reflexology is
a form of bodywork in which pressure is applied to areas of the
foot that correspond to other parts of the body. Ask your
reflexologist to focus on the heart area, or get your honey to give
you a good rub around the balls of your
feet!
Think
Green
If you’re feeling blue, focus on
green! Your heart chakra, which is the energy center that governs
connection, love, and harmony, is represented by the color green.
Meditating on the heart chakra can heal wounds and nurture love,
compassion, and hope, reminding you “love heals
all.”