The day-to-day choices you make influence whether you maintain vitality as you age or develop life-shortening illnesses and disabling conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. You may understand exactly what you need to do to enjoy a healthier, happier life: carve out time to exercise, perhaps, or find a way to ratchet down stress. There’s just one hitch. You haven’t done it yet.
Often, the biggest hurdle is inertia. It’s true that it isn’t easy to change ingrained habits like driving to nearby locations instead of walking, let’s say, or reaching for a donut instead of an apple. However, gradually working toward change improves your odds of success.
healthy lifestyle
🍎 Health Hack ~ 5 of 5 Healthy Heart Tips
Pets Provide Perks
Our pets offer more than good company and unconditional love. They also provide numerous health benefits. Studies reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that owning a pet may help improve your heart and lung function. It may also help lower your chances of dying from heart disease.
🍎 Health Hack ~ 4 of 5 Healthy Heart Tips
Lighten Up and LOL
Don’t just LOL in emails or Facebook posts. Laugh out loud in your daily life. Whether you like watching funny movies or cracking jokes with your friends, laughter may be good for your heart. According to the AHA, research suggests laughing can lower stress hormones, decrease inflammation in your arteries, and raise your levels of high-density lipoprotein (HLD), also known as “good cholesterol.”
🍎 Health Hack ~ 3 of 5 Healthy Heart Tips
Make Fish Your BFF
Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help ward off heart disease. Many fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and herring, are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Try to eat fish at least twice a week, suggests the AHA. If you’re concerned about mercury or other contaminants in fish, you may be happy to learn that its heart-healthy benefits tend to outweigh the risks for most people.
🍎 Health Hack ~ 2 of 5 Healthy Heart Tips
Play Between the Sheets
Or you can play on top of the sheets! That’s right, having sex can be good for your heart. Sexual activity may add more than just pleasure to your life. It may also help lower your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Research published in the American Journal of CardiologyTrusted Sourceshows that a lower frequency of sexual activity is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease.
🍎 Health Hack ~ 1 of 5 Healthy Heart Tips
Got to Lose the Love Handles
That is, focus on your middle. Research in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyhas linked excess belly fat to higher blood pressure and unhealthy blood lipid levels. If you’re carrying extra fat around your middle, it’s time to slim down. Eating fewer calories and exercising more can make a big difference.
Health Hack ~ Pass the Guacamole
Including an avocado in your daily diet is a delicious way to increase your intake of healthy fats and potentially reduce risk of heart disease. . . . Curious how to include an avocado per day into your diet? 136 grams of avocado is the equivalent of two thirds of a cup of guacamole, two slices of generously slathered avocado toast, or an entire batch of avocado chocolate truffles. You can get your daily dose all in one go, or spread it throughout your day. A few slices of avocado with your eggs in the morning, a side of guacamole and crudité with your lunch, and avocado-chocolate mousse for dessert . Who knew that heart health could be so delicious?
🍎 Health Hack ~ It’s Never Too Late to Get in Shape
Maintain good physical health. This point is so basic it’s often overlooked. Our physical health affects our emotional health much more than we realize. Make sure to eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep. As Virgil said: “The greatest wealth is health.”
Health Hack ~ Attitude Influences Health
The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.
It’s also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
Source: Mayo Clinic
🍎 Health Hack ~Give Some Love to Chickpeas
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are featured in an array of dishes throughout the world, including in Africa, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Chickpeas are rich in fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, and other minerals. Several studies have found that eating chickpeas may improve cholesterol levels and reduce blood sugar.
Instead of munching on these processed snacks, you can easily make your own: Just spread a can of drained, rinsed chickpeas on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil, and sprinkle with your favorite spices, such as garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, or curry powder. Stir to coat and bake at 375 F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them.
