Happy Heart Month!

February is National Heart Month, and it includes Valentines Day, Presidents Day, Groundhog Day and Mardi-Gras.  An interesting month, for sure...

I know that Valentines Day is considered the most romantic day of the year, but I'm asking you to think of the physical health of your heart this month too.  Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the US.  Heart disease is preventable.

Here are some tips for a healthy heart along with my wish for you to enjoy many more Valentines Days to come!

1.  Find your funny bone!  Laughter is better than an apple a day to keep the Dr. away.  Watch funny movies, shows, or Comedy Central.  In your car, you can listen to disks of Robin Williams or your favorite comedian.  That's much better than getting hot under the collar about too much traffic, and you'll feel better when you get to your destination. Submit a health-related "Joke of the Month" for possible inclusion in next March's newsletter (see below)...

2.  Eat nuts! - according to several studies, a handful (one ounce) of nuts as an afternoon snack every day, can decrease your risk of heart disease between 30 and 60% - I like those odds!  Not to mention that walnuts and almonds are my favorite snack as well as those containing the highest amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids.

3.  Sleep, sleep, sleep - When our body doesn't get enough sleep, our arteries age quicker and our brains hold back the pleasure hormone, serotonin.  That explains why I'm so grumpy after a sleepless night!  Most people need 6 - 8 hours of sleep a night.  Our arteries and hearts need the sleep to function properly, so if you suffer from insomnia, no food or alcohol for at least 2 hours before bed and I recommend starting a gratitude journal. When you take 5 minutes to stop and think about what you're grateful for before sleep, your body releases endorphins, you feel better, your mind is calmer and it's easier to drop off. 

Yours in health!

Kathi Casey, your Healthy Boomer Body Expert