Adopting a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent heart disease doesn’t have to be a drag. It can actually be a lot of fun.
Don’t believe it? Here are three ways to improve your heart health that will leave you smiling and excited about your next checkup and heart scan .
Let Your Inner Social Butterfly Loose
A lack of social connection can lead to loneliness, depression and more. Isolation also increases your risk for heart attack and stroke .
If it’s been a while since you connected with family and friends, it’s time for a change. Invite friends over for dinner or games, or ask family members to go on a hike together. If you don’t have family or friends nearby, try to find new friends with similar interests. The internet makes it easier than ever to find out what’s happening around town so you can find your people and move toward a healthy heart.
Great places to hunt down your new pack of pals include:
- Concerts, festivals and sporting events
- Social clubs and volunteer organizations
- Libraries, churches and public parks
Build a Healthy Heart With Canine Companions
Dogs improve your odds of a healthy heart by helping you manage stress levels. In fact, just petting a dog can help lower your blood pressure, and seeing your beloved pet can hold back stress hormones and help you feel happy. As a bonus, dogs need regular walks. So, having a dog can introduce more physical activity to your daily routine.
According to the American Heart Association , research indicates that dog owners may enjoy several heartwarming rewards, including:
- A longer life
- Enhanced mood and reduced stress
- Improved management of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure
- Increased likelihood of surviving a heart attack
- Reduced risk for Type 2 diabetes
- Successful weight loss efforts
You don’t have to be a dog person to benefit your heart. Loving any animal can help cut your likelihood of coronary heart disease.
Take Dance to Heart
Don’t have rhythm in your bones? You can still benefit from dance. Hit the town, and you can dance away your blues, burn extra calories and help your heart at the same time. Unlike other exercises, you may have so much fun dancing that you keep at it for hours on end.
Anytime you boogie down, you reap benefits with each step, including:
- Human touch. Physical touch can reduce the effect stress has on you. Partner up with someone you love, knowing that every touch has the power to make you healthier.
- Positive mindset. It’s hard to feel sad when you’re dancing. When you feel happy, you’re more likely to maintain healthy eating patterns and other good habits that lower your risks for heart disease.
- Stronger body. Dance is a wildly entertaining form of exercise that helps you obtain or maintain a healthy heart and body.
Are you eager to keep your heart beating strong for years to come? Find a provider at Union Health to help.