Healthy Heart Habits
One of the best ways to prevent yourself from heart disease is to live a healthy lifestyle that includes good eating habits and an exercise regimen. To further lower your risk, try incorporating some of the tips below.
- Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables that have an intense color often have more nutrients and antioxidants than those paler in color. To reap the full benefits of colorful fruits and vegetables, lightly steam them or eat them raw to prevent cooking out beneficial live enzymes.
- Enjoy monosaturated fats. Monosaturated fats, such as olive oil, have been shown to decrease the risk for heart disease. Drizzle olive oil over your salad, or try adding some avocado to your sandwiches to boost your health.
- Choose fish over red meats. Not only is fish typically leaner and has less calories, fish also often contains high amounts of omega 3 fatty acid - a nutrient this is extremely beneficial to having a healthy heart.
- Go dark. Red wines, dark beers and dark chocolate are all loaded with antioxidants. When enjoyed in moderation, you can become healthier ... and happier.
- Exercise. Studies have consistently shown that 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise a day is a main component to preventing cardiovascular disease. If you struggle with completing 30 minutes contingently, try breaking up your workouts into three 10-minute routines, or incorporate more walking and stairs into your daily life.
- Laugh and love. Happiness is a big predictor to the longevity of a person. Ease stress and other negative emotions by joining a friend for a glass of red wine, or taking a walk around your neighborhood.
Resources:
American Heart Association. Heart Hub for Patients. Retrieved on July 20, 2009.
University of Maryland Medical Center. Holiday Tips for Heart Health. Retrieved on July 20, 2009.
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