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Today's Heart Tip: Meditate
Meditate for your heart. As little as 15 minutes of meditation a day can help prevent heart disease and stroke. Slowing down brain activity through meditation works on the nervous system to reduce stress hormones, ease chronic stress, dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improve sleep. There are many types of meditation, including transcendental meditation, tai chi (“moving meditation”), and prayer, so find what works for you.
Norm's heart advice: “A great heart-health tool is management of stress through 10-20 minutes of meditation. In addition to this temporary period of relaxed breathing to lower your stress, you may develop a less reactive, more emotionally grounded self. As you meditate, your mind will do its job—generating thoughts continually. This is your opportunity to practice, over and over, gently releasing those thoughts, and returning to your relaxed state.”
February is Heart Month, so kick start your best year yet with 28 days of heart health. Every day in February St. Luke’s will send a heart health tip directly to your email. It’s easy to subscribe!
We’re also offering Free Heart Seminars throughout the month. Click here to find one in your area.
About The Author
Anna Fritz is a writer and editor with St. Luke’s Communications and Marketing.
