Healthy Attitude for a Healthy Heart

Eating a well-balance diet with more fruits and vegetables and taking the stairs is physically beneficial, but did you know that having sound emotional habits could benefit you physically too? In fact, new research has shown that emotional health is strongly correlated to physical health and the prevention of various chronic diseases. Here are three helpful emotion habits to adopt: 1) Avoid blaming others, as people who point fingers when angry are 31% more likely to develop heart problems. 2) See the glass as half full, since optimism can help your body fight off cold and flu viruses. In fact, a new study from the University of Kentucky in Lexington found that people’s immune systems responded more aggressively to germs injected into their skin on days when they felt optimistic than when their moods were more pessimistic. 3) Laugh at yourself, rather than being defensive. According to a recent study from the University of Montreal, those who respond in a defensive manner were more likely to have high blood pressure and were at an increased risk for chronic heart disease. So don’t be afraid to join the “not-so-perfect” club, chill out, and laugh it off!