Keep your heart healthy and lower your chances of heart disease by following these 7 quick tips:
- DRINK IN MODERATION. There are plenty of articles and scientifically proven that drinking is good for your heart. But the magic word to keep in mind is MODERA TION.
- QUIT SMOKING. Even if you don’t smoke, being around those who do and exposing yourself to secondhand smoke is extremely be detrimental to your heart health.
- KNIT A SCARF. Finding activities that put your hands and mind to work is a great way to destress. For those people like me who aren’t all that great with needles, boardgames and jigsaw puzzles are great alternatives.
- FISH ARE FOOD (and friends if you want them to be). Consuming fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease.
- LOL. Not a virtual one, but literally laugh out loud. Studies have shown that laughing is good for your heart as it helps to receive stress and allows blood to flow through your vessels more smoothly.
- DON’T BE SO SALTY. Do you know how much salt is added in processed food and restaurant-prepared food? I don’t know either, but it’s probably way too much. Increasing salt intake is one of the leading causes of health problems in the United States.
- DON’T BE A POTATO. As a college student, I understand how hard it is to motivate yourself to move around when there are naps to be had, tests to be studied for, meetings to attend and homework to be done. But a study from Australia has found that sitting for too long can shorten your life. Make it a habit to give yourself short breaks between long hours of sitting to get up and walk it out.
