February is American Heart Month and it serves as a helpful reminder to stay on top of your cardiovascular health. It’s never too late to examine your lifestyle and see if there are any steps you can take to improve your heart health. Here are five tips we compiled to help you keep a healthy heart.
1. Get an annual physical.
We cannot stress enough the importance of visiting your doctor for an annual physical exam. It is necessary if you want to get ahead of potential health issues that could arise. Most health care plans include these exams, so take advantage! We have said time and time again, preventive care is like an oil change for a car – they should be done regularly to lower long-term complications and problems.
2. Work on your fitness.
It’s no secret that staying in physical shape is good for your heart. A regular exercise regimen improves your heart’s ability to pump blood and widens your capillaries, which deliver oxygen to your body. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends “for major health benefits, do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.”
3. Adjust your sleep patterns.
Quality of sleep is directly related to your physical health. According to the American Heart Association, you should be getting around seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Poor sleep can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. If you are having trouble sleeping, you may need to consult a doctor about addressing a potential sleep disorder.
4. Manage stress.
Do you find yourself stressing out over your job, finances or other factors? Stress comes in many forms and fashions and every person deals with it differently. Your mental health can greatly impact your physical health, and it’s important to make sure you are taking time for yourself. Ways you can reduce stress are visiting with friends and family, working out, finding a stimulating hobby or practicing relaxation techniques like breathing exercises or meditation.
5. Eat healthy.
Focus on adding more fruits, lean proteins, whole grains and vegetables to your diet. If you don’t know where to start, the American Heart Association has a variety of resources including recipes, a video series busting myths about nutrition and more. Making a diet change can lower your cholesterol, improve the health of your arteries and can help prevent obesity.
If you are interested in learning more about preventive care and your employee health benefits plan, contact your insurance provider or your CanopyNation representative.