How do you mend a broken heart? 5 tips for healing your heart (both the literal and figurative one)
Tis the season of hearts! February brings us Valentine’s Day and Heart Health Month…at least in most of the countries where you, my lovely readers, reside. So it seems a good time to offer some tips for avoiding a broken heart…or patching yours up, if you already fall in that category.
I’m going to divide this advice into two categories: physical heart health and figurative heart health (i.e., love). But first a reminder, while I am a certified health and wellness coach, I am not a doctor, a counselor, or any other kind of healthcare provider. If you want medical advice, please see your healthcare professional. That said, the advice I am sharing here comes from the experts cited below, and I have full confidence in them.
5 tips for heart health
Your heart works hard to keep you alive. Here are some ways you can show your appreciation and help make this crucial muscle’s job a little easier, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Don’t use tobacco. Chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels. This includes second-hand smoke. The good news is that heart disease risk begins to decrease within just one day of quitting!
- Aim for 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily. Physical activity helps control your weight and lowers the chances of getting other conditions that may put a strain on the heart. If you haven’t been active in a while, start slowly. There are benefits for your heart from even short bouts of activity.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. A healthy diet can help protect the heart, improve blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Two examples of heart-healthy food plans include the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the Mediterranean diet.
- Get quality sleep. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. People who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and depression. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help improve your sleep.
- Manage stress. Ongoing stress can play a role in higher blood pressure, and other risk factors for heart disease, not to mention that many people cope with stress in unhealthy ways, such as overeating or drinking. Healthy tactics for reducing stress include physical activity, relaxation exercises, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation.
5 tips for healing a broken heart
Break-ups are never easy, but they can lead to growth and change. Of course, it’s okay not to be okay for a while, but here are some ways you can help yourself move through the grief to the growth a little quicker, according to PsychCentral.
- Find a new source of joy. Reconnect with things that once brought you peace, joy, or inspiration, which you may have put on hold while you were in a relationship. Push yourself to do things even if you don’t feel like it in the moment.
- Make a list of things you like about yourself. You may be feeling down on yourself, especially if you were the one who was broken up with. Make a list of your positive traits, large and small. Try some positive affirmations, such as “I am enough.”
- Allow emotions to flow. Engage in activities that help your emotions flow, such as journaling, painting, or singing. It may also help to talk to trusted friends or professionals in order to process your emotions.
- Find relief in movement. Use physical activity as a healthy outlet for anxiety, sadness, lethargy, and stress.
- Look for meaning in the relationship. Think about lessons learned and benefits gained from the relationship. If you can, find meaning in the ending of the relationship or accept that there is no good explanation for why the relationship ended and let it go.
Your turn
That’s it for my unsolicited advice for this season of hearts. Now it’s your turn.
- Do you have any advice for heart health or for the lovelorn?
- Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day; and if so, how?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Sources
For additional tips, please visit the sources listed below:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502
https://psychcentral.com/blog/10-tips-to-mend-a-broken-heart
Feature image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay
Great tips Christie – for the physical and the emotional sides of heart health. I’m so grateful that my heart is ticking along nicely on both fronts – I hate it when my heart is sad or hurting…. it’s so lovely to not be in that place – nothing beats a happy, healthy heart <3
I’m with you, Leanne, feeling grateful for a happy, healthy heart as well.
Hi Christie, good timing for a post related to the heart! Thankfully my heart health is aok. Hope it stays that way. I exercise regularly and eat healthy so that all helps. With regards to the emotional health of my heart well that’s taken a bit of a beating lately with the passing of my Mother and then my dog, but I know myself and what I need to do to bring some peace and joy to help myself. Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy and I hope you have a wonderful Valentines day! xo
Yes, Min, I’m sure your heart benefits from your healthy behaviors. I know you’ve experienced a lot of loss lately and am happy to hear that you know yourself well and what will bring you peace. Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well!
Very good advice and tips here Christie. I think my heart health is ok, but not perfect. Lack of sleep would be the thing that lets me down, but I hope it keeps me going for a while longer.
Sleep is my weak point too, Jen…not for lack of effort though. I do what I can. Here’s to healthy hearts for both of us!
I was lucky enough not to inherit my dad’s genes when it comes to heart health. He had his first heart attack at 38 and passed away shortly after his 45th birthday. Smoking didn’t help, either. I have been working hard to lose weight…just need to add the activity component. It’s been difficult with my husband not being able to walk properly. I try not to leave him alone for long periods of time. At our last house, we had an exercise room. Here, it’s the outside or the garage…both are freezing at the moment. I routinely get 8-9 hours of sleep every night even though I’m a night owl. Luckily, since I’m retired, I don’t have to get up early! As we’ve been together for more than 50 years, I don’t really have any break up advice. But, your tips, especially number two, are really good!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
That must have been tough losing your father so young, Marsha. I’m glad you didn’t inherit that gene. Physical activity can be more difficult in the winter for sure, especially if you have commitments or concerns that keep you close to home. Congratulations on 50 years with your husband. That is impressive.
Hi Christie, these are great tips. I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day but like the sentiment – if that makes sense!
I think I know what you are getting at, Deb. The holiday…like so many others…is a commercial endeavor that can lack authenticity. That said, any reminder to express our love for others can be a good thing. For our family, we don’t make a big fuss out of Valentine’s Day, but it is fun for me to get hearts on my fingernails and switch our outdoor lights to something red and pink.
Good advice, both for the body and the spirit.
Years ago I had a yoga teacher who’d ask us “where is your heart?” She meant it in the sense of being aware of your physical alignment while in a pose, but it also pertains to how you live your life.
I love that, Ally. When I’m feeling out of sorts…physically or emotionally…I’m going to ask myself that question. Where is my heart?
I think/hope my heart is healthy. I feel like I’m pretty good at most of the things mentioned here, but I struggle with sleep and stress. As I read about heart ache I thought your advice could apply for other things besides a breakup. Any time we feel sad or hurt these things would help. Thanks sis! ❤️
I think my heart is healthy too, sis, at least I do what I can to take care of it. Larry’s going to try that preventive CT scan that checks for calcium buildup in your arteries (at least I think that’s what it does). Anyway, I’ll be interested to see what he thinks of the experience and what it shows. Then I may give it a try. I love your point that heartache is not just about romantic love and breakups. And yes many of the tips here would apply to any form of heartache. I love you sister! XOXO