|
By Elizabeth Verwey
Just heard from my doctor that blood tests placed my cholesterol levels at the same level as a teenager. She said that if she showed my test results to another doctor, and told them that I was over 50, they would assume that I was taking a drug to modify my cholesterol level.
This is incredible news for me. Heart disease runs in my family and my big brother died at 50 of a massive heart attack. The number of female deaths in Canada is now equivalent to male deaths. As a result, I’ve worked hard to bring awareness to my diet and the other factors that modify the risk of heart disease.
February is Heart Month. The Heart and Stroke Foundation creates awareness this month to help us understand what we can do to modify our risk factors. I took a questionnaire on line at www.heartandstroke.ca that gave me information and a few more ideas to understand what was within my control. I now know how to further improve my odds of living longer without heart disease. I’ve signed up for an e-newsletter to get more tips.
I knew the common risk factors and have modified my diet, made time for exercise, and keep an eye on my weight. Reducing stress is also a big part of this recipe. And, being self-employed is stressful. It’s probably a risk factor, although they don’t have it on the list. Do you feel overwhelmed is the question that’s asked. Yep. Where’s my next client or prospect? When will they pay? Have I got a handle on my business systems? Will my marketing plan be enough? Juggling multiple priorities has a health cost. And, entrepreneurs need to do this on a daily basis. The reality is that we must take care of our health. We are the single biggest asset in our business.
So, this year I’ll focus on modifying the stressors in my life. I’ve signed up for a yoga class and have started meditating. These are both activities that can reduce my stress levels. I’ll learn more from various sources to find out what else is important.
What can you do to improve your heart health? Eat a healthy breakfast each and every morning. I eat oatmeal with fruit in it, as I’ve found out about the huge health benefits. I walk briskly several times per week to provide regular exercise. I take the stairs as often as possible. There are so many ways to minimize risk factors and beat the odds. Plan to incorporate one new habit at a time to make steady improvements towards a healthy heart. Your business relies on it!
Elizabeth Verwey takes Micro-vacations on a monthly basis and loves to help others become more effective – so they can make time to play! Contact Elizabeth
|
