Do you realize how important it is to maintain a healthy heart?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of all ethnic backgrounds in the United States. Statistics show it is higher than any other cause of fatalities across our nation. In fact, many of us have loved ones that have suffered a stroke or heart attack or have had a continued struggle with hypertension, repeated bypass surgeries, etc.

So, what are the keys to fighting against heart disease?

Get More Exercise

Staying fit is one of the top ways we can combat this silent killer. We have all heard how important it is, but have you really stopped to reflect on what small life changes you could make to start ensuring that you are exercising more each day?

Stretching alone burns about 27 calories every ten minutes.  

Walking is easier on your joints than running and is one of the absolute best ways to exercise each day. At least 30 minutes a day is a great goal to start for your walking program. You should be able to fit that into your busy schedule easily enough – whether you take a quick walk before or after work, on your lunch breaks or while you are on the phone making work-related calls.

In fact, studies have shown that if we merely started standing up and walking in place every time a commercial came on while watching TV – we would be infinitely healthier!

Going up and downstairs at a quick pace is another very effective way to burn calories. For seniors, it is recommended that you are careful to always hold onto the railing to prevent falls.

Most seniors enjoy stretching and walking each day, and residents at John Wesley Villas love the beautiful walking paths, their individual areas for gardening, and the group classes offered for building muscle and toning.

Eat A Healthier Diet

In addition to exercise, one of the other chief ways we can fight against heart disease is by adopting a healthier diet. You don’t have to make drastic changes but start with small ones and see how much better you feel and how much your energy level increases!

A great place to begin is by cutting back on some of your sugar intake. Drink more water and a lot less soda, substitute your late-night ice cream binges with a tasty protein snack like avocado toast or natural peanut butter on whole-grain crackers.

The key to a healthier diet is to make more conscious, better food choices.  For instance, adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet, choosing grilled chicken instead of fried, and avoiding fast-food restaurants are all great ways that we can easily opt for more healthy choices. Beans are high in fiber and protein and help give you a “full” feeling in your stomach and there are lots of different tasty types. Keep in mind that reducing your sodium is important too!

Our superb culinary team at John Wesley Villas caters to our active senior residents and their individual menu choices and utilizes herbs and spices to enhance flavors instead of just adding salt. They also have great seafood options such as grilled salmon, and delicious salads are always available!

De-stress Your Life

Avoiding stress is another top way to combat heart disease. All of us experience stress in our lives – both personal and professional. Seniors in the US have suffered especially with this recently – due in large part to the required quarantines and the constant COVID-19 news playing on their television. All of the seniors in our lives need to feel safe and loved!

The beautiful landscaping at John Wesley Villas promotes tranquil reflection, and our multiple activities and great amenities encourage socialization. Nature walks, spending time with friends, and participating in fun activities are great ways to help prevent stress!

Start focusing on your heart health today and make some good choices that will help you combat heart disease!

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