10 Ways To Protect Your Heart

As many know, February is Heart Health Month. And it’s important to acknowledge that taking care of our hearts from a medical perspective is important. But perhaps it is just as important to take care of our hearts from an emotional perspective.

What do I mean? Consider the following ideas.

1. Get rid of the drama. Nobody needs a lot of drama in their life. The emotional toll is staggering. In midlife we have the courage to say no to anything that no longer serves.

2. Tell yourself, “I love you.” When is the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and said those words? I’ll admit that the first several times felt weird. But trust me – after a while it seems weird not to say it.

3. Make sure you hear your name at least once every day. There have been studies that show that the sweetest word we as humans hear is our name. If someone addresses you with a hey remind them gently that hey is not your name. I do not like receiving emails that open with hey as an introduction. I make it a practice to respond to the message letting them know my name is Miriam.

4. Laugh out loud. Who cares if people look at you? Laugh out loud!!! Laughter makes the heart sing.

5. Dance. Yes, dance. Let yourself go. We don’t always have to be serious. Dance in the aisle at the grocery store. I have and have actually had people join me. I learned this from a client of mine when I was living in New York. I saw her in our offices in the corner dancing. I joined her and 5 minutes later we just looked at each other and smiled. She told me that dance is her secret to living a full life.

6. Say hi to everyone who crosses your path daily. Human connection lets the heart know we are alive.

7. Be kind to yourself. Beating ourselves up makes no sense. We are human. Each of us is imperfect and that is okay.

8. Treat yourself once a month. It doesn’t matter how you do it – just find something that makes you happy.

9. Find peace in your life. Your heart will thank you.

10. And most importantly – be sure to take care of you.