February marked The British Heart Foundation’s Heart Month, an annual event designed to raise awareness of heart disease and increase funds for research into heart disease treatment. Eating right, exercising and moving around, stressing less and taking care of your general well being are all factors that influence a healthy heart.
However, when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, a lot of us tend to take it for granted and make excuses. Not having enough time, money or motivation are all pleas we hear too often. So to help you put these excuses behind you, we have some great healthy tips to help change your life!
Top Tips Towards a healthier heart!
Take the stairs
If you work in a multi-storey building and take the lift to your office every day, how about taking the stairs instead? It’ll raise your heart rate and give you a small work out without even hitting the gym! Tip: if you feel like it’s too much to get the stairs all the way to your office, take the stairs to the first floor and then get the lift. As your body gets used to the exercise you can increase the flights of stairs you take. If you suffer from joint pain or arthritis, going downstairs is often worse for you than going upstairs. Listen to your body and stop if it makes your pain worse.
Take a breather
Recent polls have shown that the majority of people in the UK have very busy lives and most adults find it difficult to find time for themselves. Once a week, take some time out, put your phone away, send the kids to your Mum’s house, turn the telly off, light some candles, sit on a yoga mat and literally just breathe. Calm your mind, calm your energy and calm your soul. Perhaps practice some stretching. This may help you to destress, which in turn can help to keep your heart healthy. Tip: an hour a week can make such a difference. If the weather is nice, take the yoga mat outside!
Cycle to work
If you live close enough, why not get your heart pumping by cycling to work? Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll be working towards improving your fitness and maintaining a healthy heart. Tip: the government have introduced a cycle to work scheme which could help you get a tax free cycle.
Explore on the weekends
If you work in the week, why not take the kids or your friends out to somewhere scenic at the weekend. The UK is full of stunning landscapes, so grab your walking boots and a bottle of water and go explore! Tip: before you go exploring, you can search for a route on google – print it out so you can find your way back.
Use free resources online
The internet is full of tutorials. You can find 10 minute home workouts on YouTube that you can do in the comfort of your own home. This will get you moving and you won’t be spending a dime. Tip: the more consistent you are, the better. You’ll see that as you increase physical activity each day, you’ll grow fitter and it’ll take more of a workout to really get your heart pumping.
Spring Cleaning
When you get some spare time, why not do some spring cleaning? It’ll get your blood pumping, it’s free and you’ll end up with a really clean home! Tip: try cleaning the windows and walls and doing some dusting. Put on your favourite music and sing along whilst you clean. You’ll be surprised at how happy it’ll make you feel.
Visit your local osteopath
Keeping your heart healthy is linked to so many factors. It’s believed that osteopathic techniques may help to increase blood flow and improve circulation for a healthier heart.
If you are put off the thought of exercising by persistent aches and pains, or have injured yourself by exercising, osteopathy may help to reduce your pain or assist in your recovery. Call Solihull Osteopathic Practice today on 0121 705 4499 to make an appointment.