BY BOWFLEX INSIDER TEAM
The term February comes from the Latin word “februum,” meaning purification, because the month is a time for cleansing. Coincidentally, February is also Heart Health Awareness month and the perfect time to purify your lifestyle for the year ahead.
Heart health is invaluable to our overall health and well-being. Just like keeping the house clean or staying on top of work — your heart is something you need to maintain with care. Although the gym may be what first comes to mind with heart health, there are other activities you can enjoy to keep your heart happy and healthy:
DANCE
Whether it be alone in your bedroom or at a jam-packed concert — dancing makes for a great heart-healthy workout. Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and gets your heart pumping, all while having a fun time!
CLEAN
When cleaning, little activities such as sweeping, mopping or dusting can get your body moving and blood going. Not only does it help your physical well-being, it can also boost your mental state by alleviating stress and taking the edge off overwhelming days. And you get the peace of mind when the job is done!
FLOSS
We aren’t talking about the dance move here! Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, which can impact your heart health. Take the time every day to floss and brush your teeth. Not only will your gums thank you, but your heart will too.
REST
Sleep is essential to feeling your best, so it is no surprise it greatly impacts the state of our heart. By not getting enough rest, you strain and wear down your body and mind, which in the long-run can affect your heart health. To get a full night’s rest, The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep for adults.
HEALING
Make time to recharge not only your body, but your mind. Stress, anxiety and depression can take a toll on your heart health. To help aid this, try therapeutic activities such as yoga, adult coloring or meditation.
EAT
It’s no secret that high cholesterol levels can be a risk factor for heart disease. For this reason, eating a healthy and balanced diet can help lower cholesterol levels. Focus on eating more vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats in small amounts from nuts, seeds, fish, avocados and healthy oils, such as flaxseed, olive, walnut and grapeseed.
