Your Heart Health Matters
Apr 17, 2024
Beyond the Diet Alone
February is one of my favorite months, it's the month of my birthday, the month of love with Valentine's Day and happens to also be Heart Health Month.
Having lost loved ones to heart disease, as I'm sure you have also, all matters of the heart in terms of health and passions of the heart matter to me. Why? Because, I believe, unexpressed heartfelt matters might be a silent contributor to heart dis-ease.
In the realm of health and wellness, the heart often takes center stage, both metaphorically and literally. As a dietitian for 30 years, my journey with clients has taught me that taking care of your heart health goes beyond just eating the right foods. Fully taking care of your heart transcends the physical aspect and delves into the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit.
Passion, Dreams, and Goals: The Heartbeat of Life
Nourish to Flourish or Flourish to Nourish either way, a well-nourished heart isn't just about the physical; it's about the emotional and spiritual fulfillment that comes from living a life true to your heart’s desires. When you live with intention, your heart beats with purpose, and your desire to flourish can lead to the desire to nourish. Like a domino effect, putting your dreams and goals first can help the desire for healthier food fall into place.
Passion is the pulse that keeps life vibrant and meaningful that some might call the spirit of life. It's the force that propels us towards our dreams, creating a life rich in purpose. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of our passions or put them on hold. This neglect can have implications for our overall well-being, potentially affecting the health of our hearts.
Take a moment to reconnect with your passions. What activities make your heart race with excitement? What dreams have you tucked away in the recesses of your mind? Setting and achieving goals, whether big or small, can reignite the flame of passion.
Expressing Your Life: A Buffer Against Heart Dis-ease
An unexpressed life may contribute to a sense of dis-ease, affecting not only mental health but also having physiological implications for the heart. Stress, anxiety, and unfulfilled desires can manifest as tangible health issues. Therefore, it's essential to find outlets for expression.
A healthy lifestyle as your daily practices can nourish the body but journaling, meditation, or engaging in hobbies can serve as powerful tools for emotional expression and stress relief for the spirit and mind. When you create space for these activities, you provide your heart with the freedom to beat to its own rhythm, unburdened by the weight of unspoken emotions.
Tips for Day-to-Day Heart Health
- Mindful Nutrition: Practice mindful eating by activating the Rest Digest Create hormones with calm breathing before you eat. And yes, this can also include heart healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, avocados, fish, nuts, nut oils or olive oils etc.
- Physical Activity: Incorporate movement into your daily routine. Exercise not only contributes to cardiovascular health but also releases serotonin, the "feel-good" hormones that positively impact your mood and overall well-being.
- Mind-Body Connection: Cultivate practices that strengthen the mind-body connection, such as yoga or mindfulness meditation. These practices promote emotional balance, reducing stress and benefiting your heart health.
- Connect Socially: Nurture meaningful connections with others. Social support has been linked to better heart health, so make time for loved ones and build a strong support network.
- Quality Sleep: Prioritize quality sleep. Lack of sleep has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Create a bedtime routine and ensure you get adequate rest each night.
- Dream Endeavoring: Set aside time daily or at least once a week to keep your dream, goals and or legacy alive (for example, write a page a day for your book/course).
Affirmation Quote on Heart Matters
"I nourish to flourish my heart with self-love, healthy foods and physical activity while endeavoring towards my dreams."
For more matters of the heart to Nourish to Flourish ask Karie my heart health meal plans and more...
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