This month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day and commemorate love. The heart is the universal symbol of love,
so how can we show our hearts some TLC?
Stress is the one of the most detrimental factors that can negatively impact our hearts. From causing
inflammation to increasing blood pressure and ultimately causing heart attacks, stress can severely decrease
our quality of life and shorten our life span.
So, the first ingredient in our Love Potion is Stress Management.
Coping mechanisms may include overeating, smoking, alcohol consumption or medications, but when
endeavoring to lavish our hearts with some TLC, healthy stress coping strategies are preferred. Some
examples include engaging in a hobby, finding your bliss, taking hot baths, spending time with people
you enjoy, etc. with the ultimate goal to generate more positive energy.
Our next ingredient is Physical Activity.
The heart is a muscle, so exercise is a great way to tone this very important organ. Physical activity can
range from walking to organized sports to dancing! The key is to find an activity you enjoy and commit
to regularly engaging in it for at least 150 minutes per week.
Next, let’s look at Hydration.
Dehydration can lower our blood pressure, cause involuntary muscle contractions and reduce oxygen
levels in our blood. In order to support adequate hydration, the goal is to drink half of our body weight
in ounces by including water, herbal teas, coconut water and consuming foods that have higher water
content such as fruits and vegetables daily.
Our fourth ingredient is Electrolytes.
Our bodies require a very important balance between sodium (salt) and potassium, in order to function
properly. Overconsumption of high-sodium foods may lead to high blood pressure, while inadequate
potassium intake may lead to fatigue, muscle cramps and abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Ditching
the salt shaker and eating more fruits and vegetables (to increase potassium intake) daily will do
wonders for your heart.
Our final ingredient is Healthy Fats.
Not all fats are created equal, and there are important health differences between animal and plant
fats. One of the healthiest fats is olive oil with antioxidants and its monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats which reduce bad cholesterol levels in our blood, thus lowering our risk of heart
disease and stroke. Extra-virgin olive oil is the best choice as it retains more of the natural antioxidants.
Lastly, olive oil can also be used when baking!