Love Yourself This Valentine’s Day: 6 Heart-Health Tips
This Valentine’s Day, show yourself some love by taking care of your heart. A healthy heart is key to overall well-being, and small lifestyle choices can make a big difference in preventing heart disease. Prioritise your health and happiness by following these six heart-health tips.
1. Listen to Your Heart: Monitor Your Health
Knowing your health numbers—blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels—can help you catch potential issues early. Regular check-ups and monitoring your heart health are vital acts of self-love. Work with Smarta Healthcare to stay on top of these key indicators and make informed decisions for your well-being.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Keeping a healthy weight is essential for heart health. Excess weight can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. If you’re looking for support on your weight loss journey, our specialised weight management service can provide guidance and personalised strategies to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight in a sustainable way.
3. Move Your Body with Love
Exercise is a wonderful way to care for yourself and strengthen your heart. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as dancing, yoga, or a brisk walk in nature. Movement not only improves circulation and lowers blood pressure but also releases endorphins that boost your mood—making it a great act of self-love.
4. Nourish Your Heart with Healthy Foods
Treat yourself to a diet filled with vibrant, heart-healthy foods. Whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provide essential nutrients. Limiting processed foods, excessive salt, and added sugars can help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
This Valentine’s Day, indulge in heart-friendly treats like dark chocolate and berries, which are rich in antioxidants. You can also supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals to support heart-health. Here are 3 of our favourites:
Omega-3
Found in fish oil or algae-based supplements, omega-3s help reduce inflammation and support healthy cholesterol levels.
Coenzyme Q10
An antioxidant that plays a crucial role in energy production and cardiovascular function.
Magnesium
Essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and supporting overall heart rhythm and function.
5. Stress Less, Love More
Chronic stress takes a toll on your heart, so take time to unwind and relax. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, journaling, deep breathing exercises, or enjoying time with loved ones, reducing stress can improve heart health. This Valentine’s Day, prioritise self-care and focus on the activities that bring you joy and peace.
6. Get the Rest You Deserve
Quality sleep is a gift to your heart. Poor sleep can contribute to high blood pressure, inflammation, and metabolic issues. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night by creating a calming bedtime routine and limiting screen exposure. A well-rested heart is a happy heart!
