3 Great Ways to Observe Heart Health Month

You spend your entire life taking care of your home and family. In fact, between home repairs, work responsibilities, and family obligations, you might find it a challenge to take care of yourself. So in honor of Heart Health Month, here are some simple tips to help you make smart choices and take better care of your heart, no matter what season of life you’re in.

Start with a healthy eating plan. The food you eat can either increase or decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. We hope you opt for the latter. So choose foods naturally low in sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats. Select fiber-rich whole grains, lean meat, fish, nuts, legumes, seeds, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Limit your sugar and alcohol intake. Involve the whole family in planning weekly menus. You can make it fun by having an “International Night” where you try a new recipe from a different part of the world.

Get some exercise in every day. Whether you hit the gym, go for an after-dinner walk, or run on the treadmill before hitting the sack, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Try to mix it up by including muscle-strengthening activities (in addition to cardio) that work all your major muscle groups, like legs, arms, chest, shoulders, hips and back several times a week. Don’t have time? Park your car farther from the entrance to your work, take the stairs instead of the elevator, do some squats or lift weights while watching TV, and engage your core when doing everyday household chores. You’d be amazed how easy it is to squeeze in some activity once you make it a priority.

Make your home healthier. If you smoke, make the commitment to quit. And if you don’t smoke, don’t allow others to smoke inside your home. Stock your fridge and pantry with ready-to-eat heart healthy snacks so you’re not tempted to reach for the junk food when you need a little something extra. If you can’t give up your love for French fries or ice cream, make them from scratch. Not only is home-made better for you, you might find yourself eating less often because of the effort it takes to make it.

Sustained heart health also involves drinking plenty of water. “If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” said John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician and an American Heart Association volunteer. And, of course, the better the quality of water, the greater the health benefits. That’s where we can help, and here’s how. If you have any concerns about the quality of your home water supply, contact Your 1 Plumber and for starters we’ll test your water to determine if you’re also ingesting unhealthy levels of known pollutants. If so, we’ll explain your various water filtration options and provide you with a free and no obligation quote.