Let’s Get Physical This Valentine’s And After: Celebrating American Heart Month

by Susan Stamper •

Content Marketing Manager, ChiroHealthUSA •

Well, bless your heart—literally! 💖 Love is in the air, Sugar, and it’s time to ask yourself: is your ticker ready for all this lovin’? February’s not just for candy hearts and red roses; it’s American Heart Month, y’all. So, grab a glass of sweet tea (unsweetened if you’re watching that sugar!) and let’s talk about keeping your heart healthy and happy.

Why Your Heart Needs Some Southern TLC

Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in the good ol’ USA? Now, I’m not here to scare you, but a little prevention can go a long way. By making some simple lifestyle changes—the kind that even Aunt Mabel would approve of—you can keep your heart pumping strong for years to come.

Dates That Don’t Break the Bank (or Your Heart)

Who says romance has to be expensive? Or boring? Here are some date ideas that’ll get your heart racing—in the good way:

• Local Cooking Classes: Whip up something delicious while you’re at it. Cooking together is a hoot, and you can learn to make heart-healthy meals. Toss in a little olive oil and a pinch of love, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for success (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 🍲
• Art Classes: Not Picasso? No problem. Painting or crafting together is great for the soul and gives you something cute to hang on the wall. Plus, it helps lower stress—a win-win for your heart (Health Harvard, 2018). 🎨
• Dancing: Whether it’s swing, salsa, or two-stepping, dancing is a fun way to get moving and bond with your sweetheart. It’ll have your heart pumping in no time—and maybe get you a kiss or two on the dance floor or kitchen floor (whichever is more convenient). 💃❤
• Workout Classes: Sweat it out together! Whether it’s Zumba or kickboxing, working up a little sweat can do wonders for your love life and your heart health. Johns Hopkins Medicine (n.d.) says 150 minutes of exercise a week keeps the doc away. 🏆

Southern Comfort Foods… With a Twist

Now, I’m not here to tell you to give up fried chicken forever. But let’s try to balance things out with some heart-friendly options:

• The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension): Think colorful veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Sprinkle in some love and maybe a dash of hot sauce if you’re feeling fancy (Take Action for Your Heart, 2024). 🌿
• Omega-3’s Are Your BFF: Fish like salmon and tuna are packed with the good stuff your heart craves. Serve it up with a side of greens and you’re golden (Mayo Clinic, 2022). 🐠
• Watch the Salt, Sugar: Too much salt can raise your blood pressure quicker than Aunt Bea’s gossip. And sugar? Well, let’s just save that for dessert (Million Hearts, n.d.). 🍬

And hey, don’t forget about red wine! A glass or two may be heart-friendly, just remember moderation. Cheers to that! 🍇❤

Pets: Your Furry Heart Helpers

If you’ve got a dog, cat, or even a chicken that you spoil like family, you’re already ahead of the game. Pets are proven stress busters, and walking Fido is great exercise (Take Action for Your Heart, 2024). Plus, who doesn’t love puppy kisses? 🐶❤

How Chiropractic Care Helps Your Heart

Bet you didn’t see this one comin’! Chiropractic care can do more than fix that crick in your neck. Studies show it can actually improve your heart rate variability, which is fancy talk for keeping your ticker in tip-top shape (Zhang et al., 2018). So, next time you’re at the chiropractor, give yourself a pat on the back—literally. 🪧

Keep Calm and Keep Lovin’

Stress can sneak up on you like a summer thunderstorm, and before you know it, your heart’s working overtime. Meditation, yoga, or even just sitting on the porch swing with a glass of lemonade can do wonders. Harvard Health says it best: a calm mind equals a happy heart (Health Harvard, 2018). ✨

Sleep Like a Baby

You’re not doing your heart any favors by burning the midnight oil. Get yourself a good 7-9 hours of shut-eye. And no, that doesn’t mean snoozin’ through church service. (Take Action for Your Heart, 2024). Stick to a bedtime, skip the caffeine late in the day, and let your heart rest easy. 🛌

Take Action Today

This American Heart Month, let’s promise to give our hearts some love. Take your sweetheart to a cooking class, adopt a rescue pup, or just start with a walk around the block. And don’t forget to hit the dance floor with your favorite partner—your heart will thank you for it. Because love isn’t just about sharing your heart; it’s about protecting it too. 💓

Now go on, Sugar, and make those changes. Your heart will thank you. ❤‍🔥

For more tips and resources, visit hearttruth.gov.

References

Health Harvard. (2018). Meditation offers significant heart benefits. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/meditation-offers-significant-heart-benefits

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Exercise and the heart. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercise-and-the-heart

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702

Million Hearts. (n.d.). Factsheets. Retrieved from https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/data-reports/factsheets/ABCS.html

Take Action for Your Heart. (2024). Get started factsheet. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash-eating-plan

Zhang, J., et al. (2018). Sustained improvement of heart rate variability in patients undergoing a program of chiropractic care: A retrospective case series. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323934481_Sustained_improvement_of_heart_rate_variability_in_patients_undergoing_a_program_of_chiropractic_care_A_retrospective_case_series