Page 3 - February is American Heart Month

Self care is more important than ever! Staying home does not mean staying inactive, and keeping yourself physically and mentally fit will help keep your heart healthy.
WILLPOWER UP!
It turns out that willpower may be a finite resource, so it’s no wonder you’re more likely to bend to temptation later in the day.
Try a few of these tips to build up your willpower so you can keep positive habits going strong.
Arrange your environment.
• Clean: Get rid of your temptations, so you don’t have to
resist them.
• Commit: Make plans with a friend who can hold you accountable.
• Optimize: Time tasks so they align with your willpower – like grocery shopping when you’re already full.
Boost your willpower in the moment.
• Postpone: Say “not now, maybe later” to get the devil
off your shoulder when you’re tempted.
• Distract: Give your impulse a chill pill by focusing on something else for a few minutes.
• Hide: Remove the temptation from plain sight or remove yourself from the situation.
Strengthen your ongoing willpower.
• Meditate: A 10-minute mindful meditation sesh every
morning can help improve impulse control over time.
• Sleep: Think of rest as a shield from temptations – the more you sleep, the stronger it gets.
• Stop Swearing: Changing a speech pattern, like avoiding expletives, can help you learn to extend your willpower.
Excuse your setbacks.
• Forgive Yourself: You’re human, after all! Give yourself
a break when you deviate from the path, and you’ll be more likely to get back on it.
Get more wellness tips at
©American Heart Association 2020 heart.org/HealthyForGood DS15662 2/20
GET INTO Make it easy on yourself to Move More with these tips and tricks.
WORKING OUT
1. Make It Yours
Lean into your own personality to get into the
groove.Your favorite music, your ideal time of day and activities you actually enjoy are more likely to keep you motivated.
2. Stay Supported
Make sure you have the right gear for each
activity for added comfort and support. That may mean a moisture-wicking shirt, sports bra, or shoe inserts.
3. Break It Up
It’s OK to break up your total physical activity
goal into shorter sessions. Aim for at least
150 minutes per week. 10-minute bursts a few times a day can get you there without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Build It In
to add activity so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Sneak it into quality time with family and activities you’re already doing.
5. Give It Time
It can take a while for a behavior to become a habit.Try to be active around the same time each day – even if you don’t go all out every time – to help the routine stick.
6. Keep It Going
If you miss a day or a workout, don’t worry
about it. Skip the guilt and focus on what you will do tomorrow!
For more ideas on staying active, visit heart.org/HealthyForGood
© Copyright 2020 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved.Healthy for Good is a trademark of the AHA. Unauthorized use prohibited. DS15662 2/20
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