The heart’s work is very strenuous, and without the heart, the body is as good as nothing. For this reason, maintaining a healthy heart is very important. This article will draft out some tips for a healthy heart keep your heart healthy. It is no news that the heart is one of the most, if not the most, important organs in the human body. The functions of the heart cannot be undermined. Some of the functions include; 

• Pumping oxygenated blood to the other body parts.
• Pumping hormones and other vital substances to different parts of the body.
• Receiving deoxygenated blood and carrying metabolic waste products from the body and pumping it to the lungs for oxygenation.
• Maintaining blood pressure.

Below are some tips to keep your heart healthy.

Lose belly fat

To keep your heart healthy, it is very important to keep tabs on excess fat in the middle region. According to research, excess fat around the abdomen causes high blood pressure and unhealthy blood lipid level. Since one of the heart functions is to maintain blood pressure, excess abdominal fat stresses the heart. And if precautions aren’t taken, the heart might fail. In addition, eating food with fewer calories and exercising can be of great help and make a big difference. 

Avoid smoking

Smoking is one of the most harmful acts out there. Not only does it affect your heart, but the whole body. Smoking is also very controllable, and many health organizations advise that it should be stopped. 

Engage in mental and activities

Just as important as it is to exercise your body, it’s also important to exercise your mind. You can do this by putting your hands to work to help your mind unwind. For example, you can try knitting, sewing, and crocheting. This helps reduce stress and makes your mind feel more relaxed. In addition, other mental activities are crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik’s cube, and chess. The main aim of these is to reduce stress. In addition to keeping your heart healthy, it also keeps your mind sharp and helps you work more efficiently.

Get physical (lightly)

Exercising goes a long way for the heart. You can opt for a less strenuous physical activity like dancing and going for walks. According to a Mayo Clinic study, dancing can burn up to 200 calories or more per hour, making it the perfect activity. It also raises your heart rate and gets your lungs working. With this, your heart gets healthier and improves your breathing. 

Eat a lot of fish

Consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help ward off heart disease. Many fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and herring, are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. So it is suggested to consume fish at least twice a week. Omega-3 fatty acids keep the heart healthy by eliminating triglycerides that are harmful to the heart and the body. In addition to this, they also help reduce inflammation all across the body. 

Avoiding sitting for too long

Sitting for too long is very unhealthy and has been linked to having a shorter lifespan. How much you weigh is negligible in this situation. If you work at a desk, it is advisable to take regular breaks to move around, take a stroll. Sitting around all day has a very unhealthy effect on blood fats and blood sugar.

Consume chocolate

Apart from its enticing and sweet taste, dark chocolate contains heart-friendly flavonoids. These flavonoids help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of heart disease. 

Be more intimate

Playing between the sheets can be really helpful. Yes, sex can be good for the heart. You might be wondering why sex is coming into a topic about tips for a healthy heart. Well, the premise that sex is just for pleasure is very wrong. Sex helps lower blood pressure and reduce the production of stress hormones. A recently published research showed a direct link between less frequent sex and higher rates of cardiovascular disease. 

Enjoy laughing

Whether you’re watching a movie, comedy, or listening to a joke, try as much as possible to laugh out loud. Seems a bit peculiar but laughing out loud is very healthy, so don’t just stick to typing “LOL”; laugh out loud for real. A published research stated that laughing regularly reduces the production of stress hormones, reduces inflammation along the arteries, and raises your level of high-density lipoprotein, also known as good cholesterol. 

Try stretching

Stretching activities in the form of yoga can help improve your sense of balance, flexibility, and strength. In addition, yoga helps relax and relieve stress. According to research, yoga reduces the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Abiding by these tips for a healthy heart is a sure way to keep your heart healthy.