How to Prevent Heart Disease
Cutting out bad habits is far more effective than cutting out organs. -Herbert M. Shelton
I LOVE discussing heart health! If you do, too, stay close as I share tips and tricks on how to show this vital organ the kind of love that gives back to your longevity and vitality.
Did you know that the leading cause of death in the USA across all genders, ages, races, and origins is heart disease? Not surprised? Yeah, me neither.
BUT, did you know that per the CDC and American Heart Association, at least EIGHTY percent of heart disease is completely PREVENTABLE?! Yes, you read that right. 80% of heart disease can be stopped!
You’d be hard-pressed to find an American adult who hasn’t lost a loved one to this mostly-preventable illness.
Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, are used to manage heart disease, with the hopes of slowing the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, they have been in circulation for over 30 years and heart disease...
Exercise Isn't Just for Weight Loss
Sometimes we can minister to the soul through the body. -Gretchen Rubin
Intentional movement is about so much more than losing weight. Sometimes, the best way to mend a broken or distressed heart is to move and move HARD.
Intense exercise has an almost magical way of alleviating stress, but it also moves fear, anger, and disappointment through the body. (Trust me, some of my highest watts and fastest speeds have been during seasons of navigating drama. At least, I can find the silver lining, right? ;) )
In the exam room, the mention of exercise is often accompanied by an eye roll or sigh. But, instead of dreading it, what if we allowed it to be a nurturing form of self-care?
What form of exercise gives you the most relief?
What is Your Inner Voice Telling You?
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. -Steve Jobs
Do you know what your inner voice sounds like? It's time to tune in to your intuition and ask, "What do I want?" It's okay, even healthy (!), to take care of yourself.
What if for one week you checked in with your gut before committing to anything?
How different would life look, feel, be?
It's worth the experiment, don't you think?
Deepest Fears and Stress
If I follow your stress, it will lead me to your deepest fear. - Tony Robbins
This one hurts.
Where is your stress?
Where do you most feel it?
When did it start?
I want you to know that you are loved. No matter your deepest fear, insecurity or secret, you are loved. Be kind to yourself. Getting to the root of the lies we tell ourselves is an incredibly vulnerable and courageous process. Take the time you need, Darling. Love will not leave you alone. And as always, I'm your partner in this.
Have any Dead Plants?
You gotta stop watering dead plants. -Glennon Doyle
Perfectionism? Dead plant. Busy-ness? Dead plant. Over-committing? Dead plant. Probably like you, I know these all too well. And I learned them as a child. My longing and co-dependency on God started at a very young age. This was partly because I grew up in a highly conservative, religious home and partly because I so longed for someone to love me - even if I couldn't see him or her. The God I was taught about expected zealotry and so I was. 110% devotion. The more I did, the better chance I had at receiving love. I had no idea that love was there all along regardless of how many church groups I led or how perfect I behaved. All of it was a desperate cry to be seen. In my young mind, if I couldn't be acknowledged at home, I would be in my small town. It was pure survival.
Isn't that what we all want? To be seen, to be important, to be needed, to be loved?
Isn't that what...
We Can't Heal What We Can't Feel
We can't heal what we can't feel. -J.P. Sears
I know it's easier to not feel. It's scary to face the pain head-on and it certainly isn't comfortable. But, I also want you to know that you can be free from the shackles of pain. It doesn't have to dictate your decisions, your reactions or how you feel. When I realized I was reacting more from the broken places of my heart, I knew it was time to try something different. And that's why I'm here. I want you to feel what it's like to live on the other side of pain, chronic illness, self-loathing - whatever chains you carry. You can set those down once and for all. Let this transform you and experience health from the inside out. Abundant health is yours!
Is This What's Causing Your Stress?
Stress, anxiety and depression are caused when we are living to please others. -Paulo Coelho
Any people pleasers out there? What about perfectionists? Have you noticed that those tend to run around with these three?
stress
anxiety
depression
I used to think that my people-pleasing ways were just the way I related to the world, the way I survived. But, I finally got tired of the company that always hung out with him, the people-pleasing, and broke ties. Sure, he still shows up occasionally, but I no longer rely on him for my sense of security. I know that I'm okay if I don't have everyone's approval and that the most important approval to have ... is my own.
Remember, we all have a staircase we're climbing. The question is, where do your stairs lead - yours or someone else's life?
Let Your Heart Guide You
Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen carefully. - Little Foot's Mother, The Land Before Time
When was the last time your world was quiet enough to hear your heart whisper?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so ... get on your way! Dr. Seuss
It's Dr. Seuss day and such a perfect time to consider - what "mountain" do you want to climb?
What's stopping you, Love?
Living From a State of Wholeness
The most profound thing we have to offer our children is our own healing. Anne Lamott
When we experience healing ourselves, we live life from a state of wholeness. Those broken places in our hearts no longer dominate our behaviors. We're more present. This means we can finally be who we truly are - a more loving partner, a more patient parent, a kinder sibling, a forgiving child, a reliable friend, and a thoughtful neighbor.
Want to discover how you can live from a place of wholeness? Schedule a free stress strategy session here.
