February is the month of love. What better time to pay a little extra attention to the organ that gets all the credit for that love: the heart? Let’s talk about how to take care of your heart.
Did you know that heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for at least a hundred years? Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. The good news is that over the last one hundred years we’ve learned a lot about heart disease. The number of deaths has been on the decline in recent years in spite of the fact that it’s still at the top of the causes of death charts.
To celebrate the month of love and your heart, here’s just a few ways you can take care of your heart this Valentine’s Day:
Feed Your Heart
Just because a meal is healthy, doesn’t mean it can’t be delicious! Love your heart this Valentine’s Day and choose heart healthy options. You don’t even need to forgo your favorite Valentine’s treats while you treat your heart well. A quick search online will result in a plethora of options from pancakes to finger foods to full dinners. Simple substitutions can be made (i.e. dark chocolate covered strawberries instead of triple chocolate cake) that will not deter from the joys of your celebration.
Do Something Active
Exercise is powerful medicine, especially when it comes to the heart. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, reduce inflammation, and help you lose weight. All of these things contribute to a healthy heart. If you are not already exercising on a regular basis, what better time to start than Valentine’s Day? Instead of dinner and a movie, consider a more active date like ice skating, hiking, or dancing. Buy your Valentine and yourself a gym membership and take your first class as a date.
Go Easy on the Alcohol
A small glass of wine with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day is not a bad idea. In fact, rumor has it that wine (and dark chocolate!) can be good for your heart health. But it must be in moderation! So if you have plans to drown any Valentine’s-Day-induced sorrows in alcohol, reconsider. Your heart deserves better than that. In addition to excessive alcohol being horrible for your heart, smoke is too. Skip the smoky bars and go for a run instead. Your heart will thank you.
Get a Massage
Stress is an enemy of your heart. It stands to reason that a massage would be the perfect way to treat your heart this Valentine’s Day. A massage will work out the tension brought on by stress. Additionally, a massage improves your circulation and lowers blood pressure, making your heart comfortable and happy. Contact Amberwood Terrace Chiropractic and book a massage right away. Or purchase one for your Valentine. Or go ahead and do both!
Celebrate love by making this Valentine’s Day the day you start to love your heart!