How to boost your heart health

1 Mar 2023 06:00AM by Becky Townsend - Head of Nutrition

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Keeping your heart strong and healthy is not only good for your physical health but also your mental health and wellbeing. Eating the right foods, exercising regularly and generally looking after yourself are important to keep your heart running smoothly and at its best. Here are 5 ways to boost your heart health…

Incorporate movement into your daily routine

Keeping things moving every day is great for your heart health. You don’t have to be exercising vigorously all the time – things such as going for a walk or jog, getting up to move for even 10 minutes if you work at a desk for long hours is great to keep your body healthy and your heart happy

Eating the right kinds of foods

Unsaturated fats are an important part of your diet, and you can find these in foods such as nuts, seeds, oily fish (salmon, mackerel, trout, fresh tuna) and avocado. Unsaturated fats help to improve cholesterol levels in the body which lowers the risk of heart disease.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is another essential part of keeping your heart healthy. Not having enough sleep can make your overall mood low as well as lead to disruptions internally such as high blood pressure and inflammation. Try to aim for at least 6 - 8 hours of sleep every night – you’ll feel happier and healthier too!

Spend quality time with friends and family

According to social psychologist John Cacioppo from the University of Chicago, loneliness is linked to hardening of the arteries, which leads to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease (Age UK). Try to see your loved ones regularly if you can, either in person or virtually can help as well. You can even join a new class or find a hobby to connect with like-minded people, and our clubs are a great space to do that.

Try meditating

Scientists have found that practicing meditation can help lower your blood pressure as it reduces feelings of anxiety or nervousness. Deep breathing exercises and practicing yoga for 20 minutes a day can be great at reducing stress levels, in turn helping to keep your heart happy.

Show yourself some love this week and try some of these tips out to keep your heart healthy!

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