What can today’s busy women do to reduce stress, take better care of our hearts and our families?

Fighting stress by adopting healthy habits and lifestyles is vital in helping both women and men to take good care of our hearts. For women, heart disease is the number one killer, according to the American Heart Association.

Adopt Healthy Habits to Fight Stress

Striking a healthy work/life balance can be a challenge for women today. Technology has broadened work options for women from daily office commutes to telecommute to work-from-home options. Women play many roles at home, at work and in our community. Whether we’re wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters of aging parents, professionals in corporate offices or entrepreneurs, taking care of ourselves and our families can be stressful.

So what healthy lifestyle changes can women apply in life to reduce stress? The American Heart Association recommends 10 healthy habits to fight stress: talk with family and friends; stay active daily; quit smoking, avoid too much caffeine and alcohol; embrace things we’re able to change; laugh more; slow down; get organized; help others; don’t worry; and sleep six to eight hours each night.

Healthy Choices saves Lives

Studies show that healthy choices have resulted in 330 fewer women dying from heart disease per day, reports the American Heart Association.

Healthy life choices that improve women’s heart health include: managing blood sugar, getting blood pressure under control, lowering cholesterol, losing weight, eating healthy and knowing family history of heart disease.

Nearly one woman every minute dies of heart disease, the American Heart Association reports. Women, however, can live more abundant, healthy lives by adopting lifesaving habits and choices every day!