American Heart Month: Take Time to Care for Yourself
February is a month that celebrates love, not only between family and friends, but also self-love. During American Heart Month, we are reminded to love ourselves by taking care of our heart health. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. But the good news is that we can improve our heart health through lifestyle behaviors.
FOOD
Choose foods high in unsaturated fat including salmon, avocado, olive oil and nuts.
Save foods and drinks with added sugars like candy, soda and pastries for special occasions instead of every day.
Flavor foods with spices, herbs, lemon and lime rather than salt.
ACTIVITY
Move more! Find local classes you can before or after work or find a group and take a break to take a walk and get your blood pumping—and to clear your head!
Plan a weekend for skiing or snowboarding. If you can’t ski or snowboard, try snowshoeing.
STRESS
Devote 5 minutes every hour to take a few deep breaths and center yourself.
Create a sleep sanctuary to improve your rest: ditch the screens, cool down the room temperature and grab a book.
How will you take care of your heart this month? Let us know @GPembrace
