During the Christmas holidays it is imperative to pay attention to your health. Below are simple but effective strategies to reduce your risk of heart attack and also maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Festive fervor, festive joy and festive happiness is what imbues us all. This is that time of year when gourmet is simply irresistible. The food and lifestyle choices we make during the season of joy can also have consequences. While it’s important to take a break and enjoy life, it’s also essential to pay the same attention to your health. Often, holiday treats and indulgence lead to high levels of bad cholesterol and irregular sugar levels, which can lead to heart attack and other major health problems. Added to this is a sedentary lifestyle and dehydration. Below are some simple strategies that can effectively help you manage your heart health.
5 Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy During the Holiday Season
- Hydrate: This is a universal and golden rule for good health. Keep your body hydrated at all times. During the holiday season, junk food and fried foods can cause dehydration. Keeping the body with enough fluids can help maintain diabetes levels, control cholesterol, and help improve kidney function. The hydrated body eliminates harmful toxins.
- Heart healthy diet: Supplement your holiday meals with foods rich in fiber and protein. It will help keep your stomach full longer and develop your nutrient profile. Consult a medical professional about a heart-healthy diet for people recovering from heart problems.
- Portion control: While it’s hard to resist traditional holiday food, some portion control is imperative. Monitor what you are eating and how much you are eating. Fried foods, processed foods, junk foods, can tend to increase LDL cholesterol levels. This causes plaque to form which restricts oxygen and blood flow. Additionally, portion control will reduce the risk of developing digestive problems, which is also common at this time.
- Quick exercise routine: Whether it’s the holiday season or not, staying active is a key rule for a healthy and happy lifestyle. Incorporate at least 30 minutes of yoga, meditation, cardio, walking or some exercise routine. It helps control stress and also general health.
- Smart exchanges: Use natural sweeteners like honey, gud or opt for jaggery to make sweets. Olive oil and healthy cooking oils can help reduce heart pain. Try eating makhanas, nuts and dry fruits as snacks. Opt for baked and roasted products. You can also try making a yogurt-based sauce to reduce the risk of unhealthy fats that can be found in certain sauces.
Following these simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of heart problems. These practices can help keep your overall health fit and better. However, different things work differently for people. Therefore, adequate body awareness is essential. Consult a medical professional to have a specific plan for the holidays.
