6 Timeless Tips for a Stronger Heart

It takes forever to achieve a heart-healthy life — literally! That’s because keeping your heart strong and healthy is a lifelong project, but it doesn’t have to be a boring or bleak one. In fact, living heart-healthy goes hand in hand with a more vibrant and fulfilling journey through life. Below you’ll find science-backed tips that can help make your heart stronger without making your life any less enjoyable.

1. Keep your fitness simple with a daily walk. Walking is the most popular form of exercise in America by a long shot, and for good reason. It’s free, convenient, and can lower your risk of health problems ranging from diabetes to depression. Start with a daily goal you can confidently stick to for a week or two, then step it up from there. [1, 2, 3]

2. Laugh often… Laughter truly is good for the heart. The AHA suggests that laughter can improve blood flow and reduce stress, contributing to a healthier heart [4]

3. …Love much. Stay close with your loved ones. Spending time with friends and family is more than just enjoyable—it's essential for your health! Socializing in whatever ways you enjoy can help you manage both stress and your heart health. [5]

4. Embrace sweetness with healthy treats. Trade any standard sugar-packed snacks in your diet with healthier alternatives like berries. Blueberries and strawberries are packed with heart-protective antioxidants. You don’t need to ignore your sweet tooth to stay on track. Focus on eating a generally healthy diet and cutting back on added sugars. [6]

5. Take some deep breaths. Taking deep, slow breaths daily can help you relax, reduce stress, and improve your heart health. You don’t have to make drastic changes to add this habit: take your daily deep breaths when you first wake up, between daily tasks, or before bed. [7]

6. Never ignore your health. When it comes to your blood pressure, weight, or other health metrics you monitor — don’t turn a blind eye to changes. Keep up with your healthcare visits and make sure your care team knows how you’re doing. [8]

The most important element of these tips and any healthy lifestyle change you make is consistency. With the right mindset, you can create heart-healthy habits that add to rather than take away from your enjoyment of life.

1. Sports and exercise among Americans — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

2. Association Between Physical Activity and Risk of Depression — JAMA Psychiatry

3. Stepping Up to Diabetes—The Power of Walking — ADA

4. Can the groan-up humor of ‘dad jokes’ possibly be good for health? — AHA

5. Stress and your heart — MedlinePlus

6. Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health — NIH

7. Deep breathing exercise at work: Potential applications and impact — NIH

8. Get Down With Your Blood Pressure — AHA