American Heart Month
These days, it seems like stress abounds; but did you ever stop to think about how much that stress can affect your heart health? This month is American Heart Month, so what better time to take a look at the things that are stressing you out, and therefore stressing your heart?
I need sleep!
You’ve probably heard of sleep deficit. Studies have shown that, to a certain extent, you can “catch up” on your sleep. The thing is though, that’s still not as good as getting the right amount of sleep in the first place. If you lose sleep, it can lead to increased levels of cortisol—a stress hormone. And that’s not good for your body or your mood. So make it a point to get to bed early, and turn off your electronics to help ensure a good night’s rest.
Avoiding sickness
What a lot of people don’t realize is that poor heart health can make you much more likely to catch whatever current bug is being passed around, including Covid. If your heart is not being maintained properly, then it is going to affect all the other systems in your body. That’s why it is so important to keep your heart in the best condition you can.
Daily care
In order to keep your body in the best health possible, you have to utilize that word so few people like to hear—exercise. However, it doesn’t have to be strenuous or unpleasant. Did you know you can count housework as exercise? Doctors now believe that even short bouts of relatively mild exercise can help improve your fitness level — especially for people who are just getting started with exercise. And of course, make sure your diet is well-rounded, and not full of empty calories or starches. Your heart needs the best fuel to keep your body moving. And don’t forget the power of a positive outlook on the heart. Studies have shown that depression can also affect heart health; so, reach out to family and friends for support whenever you need to, or talk to a qualified mental health provider.
So whether it’s concentrating on exercise, diet, mental health, or whatever area that needs work, just make sure that you are taking care of your heart, so that you can keep going for a long time!
