With All Your Heart

Hearts.  They are everywhere this month.  Chocolate, paper, silver, gold, cookie and of course conversation.  I challenge you during this month filled with hearts to give consideration to your one and only, oh so important heart.  You know, the one in your body, the one you depend on, the one you need to thrive, the one you might be taking for granted.  Every time you see one of those “other” hearts this month, take a moment and think about yours.  And when you do, consider one or all of the following heart promoting actions:
 
Eat. Many foods can help keep your heart at its best. Some help lower your blood pressure. Others keep your cholesterol in line. So consider adding any of these items to your shopping cart and plate:
 
Fish –Salmon is best, but if you are “salmoned” out, try tuna or trout
Nuts – Walnuts are ideal, followed by almonds, cashews or pistachios
Berries – Raspberries are the pick of the bunch, but strawberries, blueberries & blackberries are great alternatives
Beans – Chickpeas (can you say hummus?) and lentils
Dark Chocolate – need I say anything else, except keep it to a square or two per day
Avocado – It’s more than for guacamole, try it as a spread on toast or eat it right out of the shell with a quirt of lemon
 
Take a deep breath & relax.  True relaxation, the kind that relieves stress, calms tension in your body and in your mind and is more than zoning out in front of a TV can relax blood vessels and the heart, resulting in a lower blood pressure. 2Pick your plea

Sleep.  Getting enough quality sleep (6 or more hours) is critical to heart health.  To increase the amount you sleep, begin your getting ready for bed routine at least an hour before you want to be in bed so when it is bedtime you are ready and try going to bed 15 minutes earlier.
 
Move.  Find easy ways to add movement to your day. Take in the groceries one bag at a time, make snow angels or have a snowball battle, do squats with the laundry basket, take a walk with a friend, dance or skip through a parking lot.
 
Love. – Do more of what you love: sing, laugh, knit, read, write, run, bake, hug, play with your dog, 
 
 
To benefit your health this month, put some heart into it.  It’s the kind of love you need.