If you’ve always wanted to improve your heart health, then one of the most important things you can do is to incorporate some healthy exercises into your daily routine. As we get older, our bodies become more susceptible to having ailments such as clogged arteries, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and other heart problems. This is why it’s important for everyone to try to stay active and fit as they age. Here are a few of the best heart healthy exercises that you can try to increase your fitness levels.
When you’re taking part in any type of exercises, be it cardio or anaerobic or even just walking, it’s important to work your way up slowly. Don’t start out by running 10 miles the first time you try to do it. Instead, start off with low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, cycling or elliptical machines, for example. You’ll be amazed how quickly your conditioning improves over time. A good place to start your exercise journey in your home is by signing up for a half-mile or one-mile bike ride class from your local gym. Low-impact exercises are a great way to develop the aerobic muscle groups without adding much stress on your joints and muscles at the same time.
Another type of exercise you can incorporate into your daily routine is interval training. This innovative exercise regimen involves short bursts of high intensity exercise followed by low intensity recovery exercise to help build heart health and stamina. Interval training has been proven to provide many positive benefits including weight loss, improved fitness and energy levels, reduced stress, and increased wellness. If you haven’t tried interval training before, start out by doing a thirty-minute period of high intensity and low intensity exercise, three times a week.
You can continue this routine for up to three months, but don’t expect to see dramatic results immediately. The next thing you should focus on when it comes to heart healthy exercises is proper breathing. Improper breathing can actually be one of the leading causes of poor cardiovascular health. Try taking long, deep breaths several times while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. After the standing phase, try going back to the starting position and inhaling deeply again. Repeat the process several times.
As you’re working out, make sure you give yourself the breaks you need. After an intense workout, stretch for at least ten minutes to reduce the level of stress you’re experiencing. Another important element of heart healthy exercise is getting enough sleep. When you don’t get enough rest, you increase your risk of injury and poor heart health. Exercise does wonders for your mind and your body. It’s important that you find time to exercise so that you’re healthy and fit. When you feel great, your attitude will be positive too, which makes you more attractive to other people. You can reach your goals of healthy heart and lung capacity with the right heart healthy exercise plan.