1. Dancing is Exercise Too
Remember when we talked about keeping our New Year’s
Resolutions alive? If one of your goals was to get in better shape, there’s no
better way to stay motivated, interested and excited about your goals than by
making the activities enjoyable. Exercise doesn’t always have to be about free
weights, reps, and sets. According to Everyday Health, you achieve all sorts of
health benefits by dancing, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
and decreasing stress levels that can lead to other heart problems down the
road.
Not only does dancing increase your heart rate, get your blood
flowing and improve your mood, but it’s also a social activity that can be
enjoyed in a class or with a partner. The greatest thing about dancing for
exercise? You’re giving your heart a great health boost without even trying. So
put a little rhythm in your step and dance the night away!
2. Prepare a Healthy Meal for Two
Sometimes cooking isn’t anything to celebrate. When we’re
alone or in a big rush, cooking can seem like an annoying chore, and it has
always been easier to grab fast food while on the go. That’s why the fast food industry is one of
the biggest in the world. We just don’t have time in our busy lives to prepare
something from scratch.
Learn to make cooking fun again by turning it into an
activity that you and a partner can share together. Try a new dish you’ve never
prepared before with fresh, local ingredients. Turn on some catchy music to set
the mood, and you’ll find that preparing the meal is almost as enjoyable as
eating it. Not only will you slow down long enough to savor every bite of your
creation, but you’ll also be eating a freshly prepared, healthy meal that you
made from scratch. Eating home-cooked meals tend to be more nutritious and the
portions smaller. Restaurants tend to overfeed their patrons in order “to give
them their money’s worth”. But if you’re at home, there’s no pressure. Once
you’re full, simply store the rest in the fridge for later!
According to this article about healthy eating tips, eating
healthy foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, lean
protein and high fibre grains) goes a long way in preventing heart disease. So,
the next time you’re at the grocery store, try and stick to the outside
aisles—there you’ll find fresh produce, whole wheat bread, organic dairy
products and unprocessed meats. A diet based on natural, whole foods can
significantly lower cholesterol, boost your immune system and reduce the risk
of heart disease.
3. Swimming Laps Is a Perfect Way to Challenge Yourself
You don’t need to an Olympic-sized pool to reap the benefits
of daily swimming. Swimming is usually associated with hot summer days and kids
splashing around the water. But a regular swimming regimen is proven to do your
heart wonders. According to Harvard Health, swimming provides an all-around
health boost. When it comes to your heart and lungs, it “trains the body to use
oxygen more efficiently,” which makes your heart stronger. Swimming also
supports your joints and bones, so your body doesn’t feel the shock of impact.
Compared to other heart exercises, swimming adds the least amount of stress to
your body.
In order to get the full health benefits of swimming, try
counting laps. Keeping track of the numbers as you practice your strokes back
and forth can be a bit of a challenge, but with practice, you’ll feel more
focused and centered. Just make sure to keep moving and push yourself. And when
you’re done, all you have to do is flip over on your back and let the gentle
sound of water relax you.
Don’t let winter spoil your swimming plans. Check for listings
in your community for indoor swimming pools. Swimming during the winter months
is an ideal activity and can even keep the seasonal blues away, AND you can
enjoy the comforts of temperature-regulated water.
4. Sometimes It’s Good to be a Quitter
Nasty habits like smoking are probably the very worst things
you can do for your cardiovascular health. You might have already tried to quit
before, but quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult challenges anyone
can face. The first thing to remember is that the will to quit is already
within you. No matter how many times you slip and pick up another cigarette,
you can always, always try again. And just think of the health benefits.
According to WHO, within minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and blood
pressure significantly drop. Within 15 years, your risk of coronary heart
disease becomes no higher than that of a non-smoker. Think about it this way:
there are a million reasons to quit, and a million excuses not to.
Support from family and friends and distraction from your
cravings are two very important must-haves for your post-quit date. You can
read a book, start jogging (you’ll soon realize how much farther you can go
without feeling winded), or take dance lessons (read above). It’s important to
feel fulfilled by fun activities to keep your mind off smoking.
5. Regular Check Ups Offer Peace of Mind
Going to the doctor isn’t exactly fun. But suffering the
consequences of missing your regular check ups can sometimes be devastating.
Preventative measures are always less painful than retroactive maintenance. For
instance, at Closing the Gap, you can test the age of your heart with the
AngioDefender. Since most people don’t show symptoms of cardiovascular disease
before a heart attack, getting checked regularly can be a lifesaver.
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