As life goes on, so does the heartbeat, like a clock with an unlimited battery.

Have you ever taken the time to listen to your heartbeat?

The melodic, rhythmic pulses as the organ pumps life all over the body. Sometimes, it is slowly and barely noticeable when things are going smoothly, and you don’t have a care in the world.

Sometimes fast — after physical activity like running or when you are excited or terrified.

Fun fact. Did you know the heart beats around 100,000 times daily? That’s about 35 million times a year, making it one of the most hardworking organs in our bodies! This means taking good care of the heart should be a priority.

Promoting cardiovascular wellness can be as simple as practicing self-care and deciding to live healthily. Minding what you eat, incorporating movement into your daily routines, and appreciating the present moment can help ensure your heart keeps ticking for longer.

What’s on Your Plate?

Nutrition plays a vital role in promoting heart health.

A nutritionist might recommend a specialized diet based on other factors and goals like staying in shape, but the foundation of a heart-friendly diet is indulging in healthy foods and avoiding processed junk foods.

Leafy green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, collard greens, and kale are rich in vitamins such as vitamin K, which regulates blood clotting and supports cardiovascular health.

Protein-rich foods such as fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, e.g., salmon and tuna, eggs, lean meats, and legumes, e.g., lentils, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, and chickpeas, are excellent foods. Proteins are a vital source of energy for the heart, building muscle, and can lower the chances of heart disease. They contribute to a healthy heart.

Foods and oils rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils also help keep the heart healthier. These include olive, canola, sesame, corn, and sunflower oils. Avocados, nuts such as almonds and walnuts, and seed butter also fall into this category.

As you plan to include these in your meal plans, limit alcohol, sugars, processed foods, unsaturated fats, and sodium intake, as this increases the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.

Build Your Heart Muscle With Movement

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain heart health. The secret is finding an enjoyable exercise and adopting it. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and dancing, among other activities, increase the heart rate, force it to work harder and strengthen the heart muscle.

Consequently, the heart pumps more efficiently and improves circulation by increasing blood flow throughout the body. The result is more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the various tissues and organs, including the heart itself. This prevents the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Improved blood flow also helps regulate the release of hormones that affect blood pressure. If you ask yourself why you should exercise daily, movement helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and manage weight. All these are significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the present moment. It is a way of cultivating awareness, being attentive to ongoing sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and being kind and nonjudgmental.

The practice enhances emotional well-being, self-acceptance, and compassion. It helps individuals recognize and regulate their emotions more effectively, reducing the impact of negative emotions like anger, anxiety, and depression.

Mindfulness encourages healthier lifestyle choices, such as improved diet, better sleep, and movement. These modifications are essential for maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and guided imagery help alleviate stress, which is an independent risk factor for heart disease. Stress can lead to increased blood pressure, inflammation, and unhealthy coping behavior like overeating, smoking, or excessive drinking.

By helping to reduce stress, regulate blood pressure, improve heart rate, and enhance emotional well-being, mindfulness equips you to safeguard your heart health.

Taking a holistic approach to heart health by including mindfulness, movement, and nutrition empowers individuals to take control of their well-being and live life to the fullest.

Published by: Khy Talara