We usually misinterpret well-being with good physical health. Good physical health is absolutely important for the smooth functioning of your body and healthy living, but it is not enough. Your heart; the core source of energy provider of your body should be healthy to have symmetry for physical, mental, and spiritual health in your routine.
According to Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of prana (life energy) which is preserved by a delicate balance of Agni (the factor of solar energy) and soma (the lunar energy element). It is pertinent to practice and implement healthy habits that shall work in favour of maintaining good heart health.
A holistic approach to heart health allows you to protect your heart from cardiovascular diseases. Here are a few steps one can take to maintain good heart and blood vessels health.
Get moving
Your heart is a muscle and as with any muscle, you need exercise to strengthen it. Exercising at least 5 times a week is crucial and is a first step towards targeting good heart health. Keep good records of your vitals; the level of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. in check for good heart health. Exercise or a quick workout works wonders for your body as it relaxes you by releasing happy hormones and eases your anxiety and stress as well. The experts at Dharana at Shillim guide you on precise methods and the right approach to combat stress in the Dharana Resilience program. The goal behind learning the resilience techniques is to balance, ground & calm your overwhelmed mind full of fear, anxiety & depression
Quit smoking
Avoiding tobacco is one of the best and top controllable risk factors for heart disease. Not only quitting smoking shall be good for your heart but also the overall health of the body.
Eat heart-healthy foods
Clean and mindful eating is arguably one of the first steps you will take towards cardiac health. Indeed it is the most challenging step to take and sustain as we are accustomed to eating fast food and dining on the go. But one can take small steps and start consuming a heart-friendly diet to achieve better heart health. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables; apples, pears, guacamole, soaked almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Add black beans too for an added boost of heart-healthy fiber. A soluble fiber-rich diet helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Oats, barley, avocados are other rich sources of soluble fiber.
Eat a lighter diet rich in fiber and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, and avoid narcotics, alcohol, and smoke, to help the body cleanse itself during the natural purification time. Dharana suggests a detox program, an optimal detoxification program that adopts the Dharana Way of Life by focusing on cleansing the mind and body, practices healthy eating habits this embarking on a healthy heart journey
Eat Chocolate
Dark chocolate not only tastes delish but is also a great source of heart-healthy flavonoids. The antioxidants in dark chocolate help in increasing good cholesterol, and reduce bad cholesterol. Dark chocolate and not over-sweetened milk chocolate are good for you when eaten in moderation. So, the next time you wish to satiate your sweet tooth, sink into a square or two of chocolate, guilt-free!
Laugh out loud
Don’t just limit your LOL to emails, messages, and social media. Laugh out loud in your daily life as research suggests that laughing lowers the stress hormones, releases endorphins, decreases inflammation in your arteries, and also raises good cholesterol levels
Stay positive
A sunny outlook towards life can be good for your mood and for your heart too. Managing stress and anxiety, better anger management can avoid the risk of heart disease and stroke. A positive perspective towards life may help you stay healthier and happier for longer.
Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai and Pune focuses on spiritual wellness and a holistic health approach that includes mental, physical, and spiritual balance. As one of the leading healing and wellness retreats, Dharana combines the use of an integrative, modern approach for holistic health with Modern diagnostics with traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.