Image Courtesy: Designed by Freepik
If your Heart has managed to survive the roast turkey, hot chocolate, and eggnog during Christmas festivities, don’t try pushing your luck during New Year’s celebrations by popping the champagne. However, it can be difficult to resist the temptations that are thrown at you during the festive season. Thankfully, you can use these tips to take care of your heart this New Year’s celebration and still toll in the bells with gaiety and laughter.
Deprivation is Not the Answer
If you think keeping your heart healthy means depriving yourself at parties and dinners, you are mistaken. The key is to stick to a plan and keep temptations at bay, regardless of how irresistible they may appear. Remember, you are in control of the situation and once you accept it, things will be easier to manage. Stay focused and you will be able to take care of your heart without much ado.
Exercise is Important
While you should be exercising regularly, it is never too late to begin. Set the tone of physical activity during the start of the Christmas season and it will help you through during the New Year’s festivities.
Exercising helps to release the feel-good neuroreceptors and this elevates your mood. It also reduces your stress and anxiety levels. Above all, exercising will make you feel good about yourself and you will refrain from those activities that are unhealthy for your heart, as a result.
Look to participate in a cardio workout, yoga, or go on a morning jog. It will leave you feeling light and rejuvenated. The sweat that you work up during your exercise routine will make you feel good when you put on your party outfit. As a result, you will be more relaxed, and your thoughts will not revolve around food. Instead, you will be able to socialize with family and friends while resisting goodies and treats that could wreak havoc with your heart health.
Go Green and Be Liberal
No, we are not talking about becoming eco-friendly, though that is not such a bad idea either. However, here green means favoring fresh fruits and veggies that are heart healthy over everything else. Yes, New Year is the time to forget the past year and welcome a brand new year where you expect things to be better. So, there is nothing better than giving your heart a boost with a generous helping of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whether it is a sit down dinner or buffet, go for vegetables and fruits. Forget about the fatty, salty and greasy foods as they will not benefit your heart in any way. Remember to leave out the sauces and dressings as they are filled with calories and unhealthy fats that can choke your arteries and make your heart work harder than it should.
Load Up on Fiber
Fiber is good for your digestive system and it is also one of the best panaceas for your heart. It keeps the heart healthy and reduces the chances of heart disease. So when you head to the buffet table this New Year’s look for fibrous and healthy preparations to load up your plate.
Besides fruits and vegetables, which are replete with fiber, make whole grain dishes your favorite. Whole grains will keep you satiated for a longer duration and also are easy to digest. This, in turn, will allow you manage your weight during the festive season even when goodies are all around you.
Keep Your Cholesterol Level in Check
For most people, New Year is the time to indulge and then they spend the rest of the year repenting. Don’t be like them. Stay away from foods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats. Eating these foods will cause your blood cholesterol levels to spike and the fat will get deposited in your arteries in the form of plaque. This, in turn, will cause your heart to pump harder as the arteries will be constricted.
Instead, look to consume skinless roasted or baked chicken and turkey that are low in trans fat and saturated fat. Club these meat dishes with whole grains, vegetable and low-fat dairy products to reap maximum benefit for your heart.
Reduce Your Salt Consumption
If you have high blood pressure, you need to be careful. This New Year’s avoid salt as much as possible. If you cannot then reduce your intake. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more 2,300 mg of salt a day. This is equivalent to about one teaspoon a day. So stay away from processed foods and other foods that have come out of a packet. These will invariably be high in salt and that is the last thing you need if you are trying to take care of your heart this New Year.
Kick the Tobacco
It can be easy to lose your way in the company of family and friends. Think twice before you light up a cigarette during the New Year’s festivities. It may be difficult to prevent yourself from smoking, but look at the bigger picture. Cigarette tobacco contains a whole lot of toxins that is bad for your heart and lungs. So, by not giving in to the temptation, you will be helping your heart and lungs to stay healthy.
If you are hosting the celebrations, make your home into a no smoking zone. This way, the secondhand cigarette smoke, which is worse than the first hand smoke, will not trouble you or other guests. You will find that your home smells fresher and you will be able to breathe better once you quit smoking. And, within a few hours of quitting, your blood pressure will be in the normal range.
Dance Away
If you have been cheating on your exercise routine, New Year’s celebrations are the best way to get yourself moving. Dance and burn calories. It will help you get your heart thumping and you will work up some sweat. There is nothing better than dancing and laughing in the company of loved ones.
Use these tips to take care of your heart this New Year’s celebrations and your heart will thank you for it.
The post Tips to Take Care of Your Heart During New Year’s Celebration appeared first on .
