{"id":294,"date":"2020-02-29T10:20:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-29T10:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/americanvendingllc.com\/blog\/?p=294"},"modified":"2020-03-01T17:56:42","modified_gmt":"2020-03-01T17:56:42","slug":"gratitude-healthy-hearts-warren-detroit-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanvendingllc.com\/blog\/gratitude-healthy-hearts-warren-detroit-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Gratitude and Healthy Hearts in Warren and the Detroit Area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Healthy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While healthy lifestyle choices will vary greatly among Warren and Detroit Area employees, there is one thing that everyone should be concerned about\u2014their heart. February is American Heart Month. It\u2019s a good time to consider current and\/or adopt new, healthy habits that will help prevent heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a heart healthy diet is one habit that can help fight cardiovascular diseases. Rather than trying to strictly follow a specific diet that feels very restricting, it\u2019s important to consider the overall pattern of one\u2019s eating habits. Enjoying a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, low-fat protein sources like chicken and fish, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils is a great way to provide the body with the minerals and nutrients it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consistently moving or exercising is another habit that benefits\nheart health. The American Heart Association recommends that Warren and the\nDetroit Area adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity\naerobic activity. That\u2019s 2.5 hours of exercise per week, or 30 minutes a day\nfor five of the seven days each week. Resistance or strength training should\nalso be added at least twice a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to choosing healthy snacks<\/a>, beverages and food and exercising, being aware of decisions that impact one\u2019s mental health is also important. Practicing gratitude is beneficial for many different parts of Warren and Detroit Area employees\u2019 lives including their mental health, personal and professional relationships and physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An individual\u2019s mental health can be impacted by many things\nincluding stress, which increases adrenaline and cortisol levels. That increase\ntriggers a rise in the rate of breathing, the heart rate and blood pressure.\nNot only can these reactions contribute to heart disease (i.e. high blood\npressure), but there are also mental health related biological and chemical\nfactors that may play a role too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Healthy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Barry Jacobs, Psy.D.<\/a>, a clinical psychologist and director of Behavioral Sciences at the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program recently explained, \u201cThe head-heart connection should be on everyone\u2019s radar. It\u2019s not just being unhappy. It\u2019s having biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health problems, including heart problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing a practice of gratitude can be healthy for everyone. Whether at work or at home, practicing gratitude builds relationships. At Warren and Detroit Area businesses, gratitude can be practiced on multiple levels such as between coworkers or between management and employees. When an organization regularly practices gratitude, motivation and productivity can sky-rocket. Below are five simple ways employees and employers can express gratitude while at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n