Romantic dates and candlelit dinners are wonderful, but you know what should really get your heart pounding? Regular cardiovascular exercise! February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on your heart health and learn about your risk for heart disease and strokes, but also to re-examine your current wellness routine and make sure you’re covering your bases when it comes to cardiovascular support.
The Role of Your Heart
Your heart does one of the most pivotal jobs in your body: pumping blood to your entire body so every system and organ gets what it needs to function. You literally cannot live without your heart, so it’s super important to make sure this powerful muscle is functioning at its very best. It pumps over 1.5 gallons per minute, which is pretty impressive. You may be sitting down enjoying your favorite TV show, but your heart isn’t resting; it’s working hard to bring blood and oxygen to the rest of you. Just as you treat yourself with extra care at the end of a long, hard day, so should you with your heart!
How to Care for Your Heart
Be more active.
If you’re a marathon runner, great! If not, don’t feel like you need to lace up your running shoes and train for the Olympics. The American Heart Association recommends about 150 minutes (30 min a day, 5 days a week) of moderate cardiovascular activity, like jogging, speed walking, dancing, or swimming, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, like running or spinning.
Those numbers can sound intimidating to someone without an existing workout routine, so if life has gotten in the way and you haven’t made time for the gym or your barre class, don’t worry — it happens! Focus on adding more movement throughout the day to start; park further away from the door, take a daily walk, do a 10-minute YouTube workout over lunch. It all adds up! Get outside on a regular basis; even weeding the garden can be beneficial to your heart.
Stress less.
Managing stress is another key way to care for your cardiovascular system. Regular stress can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, so find ways to decompress each day, whether that’s with a workout, writing out your feelings in a journal, or going for a long walk with your dog.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
You knew it was coming! Indulgence is fine from time to time, but your daily diet should be a well-rounded mix of whole grains, lean meats and fatty fish, lots of fruits and veggies, and plenty of water to wash it all down. Avocados, leafy greens, salmon, and olive oil can all support your heart health, and the bonus is that they taste great!
Check in with yourself on a regular basis.
Our lives can be so busy and action-packed that it’s possible to notice something one day and forget it the next. Make checking in with your brain and body part of your regular routine. If something feels off, take note of it and share it with your healthcare practitioner. Being proactive about your wellness is the first step!
Gaia Supplements for Heart Health*
If you’re interested in adding a supplement or two to your routine to help support your cardiovascular system, look no further than our high quality herbal offerings.*
Turmeric Supreme® Heart: Keep enjoying your active lifestyle with Turmeric plus black pepper to help aid absorption.*
Hawthorn Supreme: Hawthorn berries, fruit, and leaves have been used in traditional medicine practices for centuries for traditional heart health support.*
Reishi Mushroom: Reishi is an adaptogen to help the body cope with stress, but it also maintains a healthy immune system and supports heart health.* We love a multitasker!
Organic Hibiscus Herbal Tea: Make this bright, fragrant citrusy tea with organic Hibiscus and Mandarin Orange essential oil a daily ritual to support your heart health.*