Take action for better heart health
Try these nine ways to boost your health today
1. Move every 30 minutes.
Sitting all day? That’s as bad for you as smoking. Take a walk, stretch, or make a coffee run.
2. Phone a friend you haven’t heard from in years.
Companionship can help us bounce back from tough times, with old ties being the most powerful. Call instead of
texting — you’ll feel more connected.
3. Wear a face mask.
It’s a low-tech, low-cost strategy to keep you — and others — from getting sick.
4. Let go of a grudge.
Grudges dull mental sharpness, studies show. Write one positive lesson the experience taught you and dwell on it instead.
5. Schedule an annual wellness visit.
Catch small problems before they get big. Plus, you’ll stay on track with preventive screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies.
6. Go green.
At the supermarket, reach for kale, spinach, or collards. One study found that eating leafy green vegetables can help your brain function as if it were decades younger.
7. Learn something new.
Even better: Learn three new skills. Folks who do so are better at remembering numbers, switching tasks, and finding their cars in busy parking lots. Learn a new language or
try knitting.
8. Don’t ignore pain.
It’s your body’s alert system. If pain is intense and sustained, especially in your chest, abdomen, or pelvis, seek medical attention.
9. Keep ahead of your refills.
Have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure? Don’t run out of meds! Ask your pharmacy about
90-day prescription refills or set reminders to call the pharmacy when you’re running low.
