Boost Exercise Motivation, Reduce Risk of Heart Disease & More
August Newsletter
6 Ways To Boost Your Exercise Motivation
You’ve heard it before – an active lifestyle is great for your health. Regular exercise reduces stress, helps you sleep better, lowers your blood pressure, and decreases your risk for disease. For many people, however, it can be difficult to jumpstart this healthy habit. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, these tips can help you succeed (CDC):
- Focus on sitting less: Try using a standing desk, doing stretches throughout the workday, or taking a walk during lunch.
- Carve out specific times to be active: This might look like signing up for a weekly fitness class, planning to go to the gym on certain mornings, or taking a walk at the same time every day.
- Make exercise a group activity: Go on a bike ride with family, take a stroll with a friend, or join a recreational sports team with coworkers.
- Set small goals and work your way up: If you want to form a sustainable habit, start small. Rather than deciding to go to the gym every day, try committing to two or three days per week.
- Try something new: Bike a new route or try a free workout class. Trying different activities can help you identify what you enjoy most!
- Find a routine that works for you: Health experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Split this into smaller increments that work with your schedule.
Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
A healthy heart is key to staying well and living a long life. With heart disease one of the leading causes of death for U.S. adults, Mayo Clinic shares the best lifestyle habits to keep your heart strong:
- Avoid Smoking or Tobacco Use: These habits greatly increase your risk of heart issues. If you are a smoker or use tobacco, consider getting help to quit.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim to move for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. This helps keep your heart strong!
- Opt For Heart-Healthy Foods: Limiting foods with high amounts of sodium, sugar, and saturated fats is a great first step to eating well. Strive to consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins too.
- Keep A Healthy Weight: If you are overweight, even a small weight loss can be beneficial for your heart health. Talk to your doctor to determine the best weight for you.
- Prioritize Sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation is correlated with high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and risk for heart attack.
- Reduce Stress: High levels of stress can put a strain on your heart. It’s also important to cope with these feelings in a healthy way, instead of turning to alcohol, smoking, or unhealthy eating.
- Monitor Your Overall Health: An annual health screening will help keep tabs on your well-being and detect disease in its earliest, most treatable stage.
Watch this video to learn more about heart disease.