You are born with a Happy Heart. Keeping it happy needs work. It may appear too simplistic, equating happiness with heart health. But just like the shortest distance between two points is always the perpendicular, simple answers may be the best ones.
Leaving aside heart problems which some may have from birth, you are born with a healthy heart. Your heart works nonstop with no breaks. It doesn’t sleep or go on a vacation. It keeps pumping blood, oxygen, and nutrients to every part of you. From your toes to your brain, every little cell works because your heart is doing a great job. Most people know how to keep themselves healthy. They visit a doctor to confirm it. They then decide to continue with their old habits. This is why I am not writing this as a to do for you, but I am sharing my own daily habits for Heart health.
If you ask me how do I keep my heart happy, I can give you some clues.I will also tell you about my diet and exercise habits and the most important thing for a happy heart.
5 Things I do every day to keep my heart happy
- I read. A lot.
- I walk every day. At least 40 minutes and more
- I write every day.
- I spend time with people I love and who love me as a priority.
Positive emotions help us fight stress over long periods and have a big role in keeping your heart healthy. But occasional positivity rarely helps. What you need to develop are lifestyle habits which lower your stress and keep it low. Feeling good about helping others, enjoying your work and enjoying yourself are much needed for lifestyle aimed at improving heart health. When it comes to enjoying your work or hobby you need something to immerse yourself in. When you enjoy something so much that you don’t count hours doing it ,you know you have found the thing!
10 Things in my Diet
- I drink plenty of water. At least four liters and up to six liters if it’s too hot.
- I have no processed food. That means I avoid fast food restaurants when I eat out.
- I mix locally available, millets to make our own multigrain atta.
- I eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies and strictly avoid tetra pack juices.
- Since I am Bengali, daily fish in my diet is the main protein source.
- I avoid cooking with oils and fats with high omega six content. I air fry like a champion.
- I am serious about cheat days and festivals.
- I taste everything and always control portion size.
- I eat dinner latest by 8 pm. This habit practiced for the last several years has improved my overall digestive abilities.
- I take daily supplements and probiotics according to my requirement.
5 Exercise Habits I do
- I walk on my treadmill . This I am doing at least five times a week for last one and a half year. Before that, it was less frequent as my daughter was younger and didn’t like her mom walking no-where.Now she has accepted it.
- I lift weights . Seriously for four days a week. I do alternate days only. Simple stuff at home. I got a good deal on Amazon for a set of weights and I love them.
- I use resistance bands on days I don’t use weights.
- I meditate and do yoga with my daughter every day. Simple things which help us become calmer and more focused.
- I also kick and punch a medicine ball. This one is super fun and you should try it once.
What is the number one thing which makes me happy even when I am in the dumps?
Walking.
What is the number one thing I avoid to keep my heart singing?
Negative people. This is different from cautious sensible people. If you know both kinds you will understand what I am talking about. There’s a deep connection between happiness and optimism.
Let me know in the comments below, what you do to keep your heart healthy and happy.
You sound SUPER healthy! How do you feel? Any cosmetic results?
All are valid points, but for me the three core ones are diet, exercise and shooing away negative influences to keep my heart singing.
Two things you mentioned here that I haven’t been doing as regularly as I should be are drinking water. I used to drink a lot of water every day; but I have fallen behind on that. And walking. Even if I take a few breaks away from my desk every day to walk out to the mailbox, or walk out to my garden, I should take the break and do that. It does help clear your mind, lift your mood and even has the physical benefits for your heart as well. Thanks for reminding me what I should be doing!
Never thought about it so simply before. Heart and happiness link, it makes complete sense.
As a physical therapist, I applaud your tips and your outlook. Stay Healthy!
I really need to up my exercise. I walk about an hour a day but need to add in some cardio.
These are all some great tips to keep heart happy and healthy. Diet and exercise are two main things.
That’s a great routine you follow… i try to walk but i’m never able to motivate myself… i’ll have to try harder it seems
Great suggestions Working on increasing my walking minutes or steps. Love your balcony garden, I have a porch garden. Small space, great results.
I stay away from negative people, too. I let them go; I don’t need them in my life. I try my best to stay happy. I walk and try to eat healthy stuff.
I do 4 of the 5 things that you do to keep your heart happy. I have never done any balcony garden.
I keep a healthy heart by holding my newest great grandbaby, she is a month old and oh so precious. My heart melts when I see how perfect she is. But I also am on a healthy eating plan, don’t like calling it a diet, and I can feel my insides being much happier now!
These are some great tips. I do well with doing things that relax me. I need to work on exercising more. I brought my treadmill into my living room for this very reason. I take supplements too and started taking probiotics about 2 months ago and I am liking the results.
This is a really comprehensive list of items to help us have healthy hearts. I sometimes forget to take care of myself when I’m caring for everyone else in the house. Thank you for the reminder.
I’m not a vigorous with my exercise as you but the daily walk we have in common. I also do yoga 3-4 times a week. I eat well and have good, close friends and family.
But most of all, I stay happy, honor my feelings and love myself. I’m my best buddy and closet ally. Who else it there 24/7? 🙂
great post, I love the simple, positive advice! i’m in the ultimate blog challenge too. 🙂
I enjoyed your post. Very informative and inspirational. I like to walk, chase the kiddies, read. Need to work on eating more sensibly.