Holistic health is a way of thinking about health that considers the whole person — not just their body, but also their mind and spirit. For generations, great leaders and thinkers have considered the relationship between our mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Today, doctors and researchers are demonstrating the potential for healing through this connection. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer in America, and the number one killer specifically in women.

Current research suggests that the connection between our mind, body, and spirit play a significant role in heart health. Most cardiovascular conditions occur when these aspects are out of sync, the imbalance of one facet leading to the misalignment of others.

General nutrition guidelines for a healthy heart include incorporating whole grains, lots of fresh produce and healthy fats, and minimizing carbohydrates, salt, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods. Diet is a beneficial route to avoid hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can lead to many adverse cardiovascular effects such as heart attack, stroke, and weakened blood vessels.

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Running and other aerobic exercise is extremely effective, but anything to get your body moving and your heart pumping will help.

Rest is also extremely important for heart health. During the deep stages of sleep your blood pressure lowers, your muscles relax, and your body begins to repair and restore itself from damage done during the day.

Disrupting sleep can disrupt the chemical and hormonal processes that occur during this time, increasing levels of insulin and other hormones like cortisol, which is related to stress.

Stress is sometimes considered solely a manifestation of the mind, but it can also show up in the body. Excess cortisol can contribute to weight gain, hypertension, and a slew of other imbalances. In addition to diet and rest, regulating emotions is a key element of stress management.

After drinking her water, Dr. Shah says. To start your day saluting the sun like Dr. Shah, see how to perform the yoga flow below:. In general, exercise helps lower heart disease risk, manage weight, lower stress levels and improves our mental state—Shah says that even just walking 30 minutes a day may boost mood, tame stress, and protect the heart.

So feel free to swap yoga for any workout that makes you feel good. Bonus points if it gets your blood pumping. I am vegetarian, so the night before I will usually make overnight oats with sprouted gluten free oats and unsweetened almond milk, blueberries, chia seeds, hemp hearts, and a dash of cinnamon powder and Stevia.

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