02/11/2020
Plan a Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day for Your Loved One
It’s that time of year again…time to take care of your heart, both physically and romantically! Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to take a little extra time and effort to show appreciation for your loved ones, and this is often done in the form of date nights. It can be difficult to plan the perfect date night for you and your beloved, especially if either of you have specific cardiovascular/lifestyle constraints. Well, the quest is over, because we are here to help!
Here are some of our tips and ideas for planning a more heart-healthy Valentine’s Day for you and your partner.
Skip the Indulgences
Going out to dinner is one of the most popular options for sweethearts on this special night, and steakhouses are an especially popular choice as they tend to be slightly upscale. While this type of setting can be great for a romantic ambiance, all that butter and red meat can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system. Instead of a fatty and dense choice, cooking at home can cut down on unnecessary fat, cholesterol, and sodium. In most restaurants, you don’t actually know the levels of these unsavory components, so you can unintentionally overindulge
If you don’t want to cook for yourselves, there are still many restaurant options for those trying to keep their hearts in mind. Try out a new genre of food that has more heart-healthy options. According to recent data, blueberries, along with other whole foods can lower the risk of cardiovascular issues. They can accomplish this by reducing hypertension and lowering blood pressure. Blueberries and fresh fruit can also satisfy your sweet tooth in place of chocolate and other candies.
Go Out Dancing
We all know how important cardio exercise is to our heart health. It manages blood pressure and heart rate and even strengthens the muscles of the heart. Dancing is a great way to get your blood pumping! Not only does the movement make for great exercise, but it can also be incredibly romantic! Whether you go out to a nightclub for some fast-paced fun or slow it down by taking some more mild ballroom dancing classes together, you can get in your steps for the day while getting some quality face time with your honey.
Hit the Sauna
If dinner dates aren’t exactly your thing, there are a wide variety of other options that you can explore to get your fix of romance. A great idea for date night with your heart-conscious lover is to check out a spa nearby. Stress-relief is a very important part of managing your heart health, and spas are designed to do just that. Saunas especially are rumored to be helpful in managing your heart disease risks. While the topic needs more research, studies suggest that saunas could be a potential preventative measure in combating cardiovascular events.
Skip the Drinking
You might have heard before that drinking red wine is good for your heart, while this is true in many ways, it’s a little bit more complicated than that. While there are some recorded cardiovascular benefits of red wine when consumed in moderation, overall, medical professionals still advise caution. At the end of the day, red wine is still an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol has a hefty plethora of negative health impacts that you should always be cautious of.
Don’t Stress Too Much
The most important part of a Valentine’s Day date is that you enjoy your time with your loved one. Let go of any pressure that you’re feeling to make the day perfect or extravagant. As mentioned earlier, stress reduction is an important part of cardiovascular health, so relax! As long as you’re spending quality time together, the good times will come. While these are helpful tips for Valentine’s Day, heart health is important 365 days a year! Make sure that you’re making smart lifestyle choices on the daily and going to regular visits at y