Over the past several decades, research has revealed more than we have ever known about what makes the heart tick, quite literally. We now have a number of tips on how to keep the heart healthy, such as avoiding processed, fried foods high in saturated fat. Most experts also encourage the average human to exercise on a regular basis and eat plenty of fiber to keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check. You may have heard all of this before. You may have even intended to take some of the suggested steps to manage your heart health, only to fall back into your normal routine. Here’s why . . .
We live in the day and age of Smartphones, which put everything we could possibly need within reach. We can stay in touch with friends via social media on our phone. We can take a business call and answer meetings. One writer even copped to penning his entire memoir on his mobile device! As much as we may believe that advanced technologies have added a certain ease to live, there are also inherent risks, and they could be affecting our hearts.
The fact that we are constantly plugged in puts us in a predicament of having to make split-second decisions as we go about our daily routine. This may not seem like an issue, but the speed at which we move today is sending many of us into stress overdrive. We have become so accustomed to it that we may easily ignore signs that the body is being flooded with cortisol and adrenaline, at least until we cannot.
How much damage could that Smartphone do if we can just get out and exercise? Here’s another interesting fact: the chronic use of a mobile device is linked to increased depression (and anxiety). A recent study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found a direct link between the number of hours spent staring at a Smartphone screen and the rate of depression. If you have ever felt “blue,” you know that you lose just about every ounce of motivation to move your body in productive ways. Reaching for the easy button of distraction is much simpler.
Maintaining a healthy heart is an involved process that goes beyond the physical aspect of eating healthy. The more research that is conducted, the more value we see in mindful living practices. If you have questions about your heart health, we are happy to speak with you. Give us a call for a friendly service.
Posted in: Health and Wellness
