Daily physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease as it improves blood circulation in the body. It can also keep your weight under control, prevent and regulate high blood pressure, improve blood cholesterol levels, relieve stress, increase energy levels, improve self-esteem, increase muscle strength and increases optimism to counteract depression. In elderly people, it helps delay or prevents the chronic diseases.

Aerobic activities are crucial for improving the condition of your heart and lungs. These include brisk walking, running, Swimming, skiing, bicycle and jumping rope, but even low-intensity activities, when done for as little as 30 minutes per day will improve your health.
If it is not pleasant, it is likely that it will not be a part of your life for a long time. Research shows that people who exercise in groups adhere to their exercise program better than those who go for it alone.
Exercise is not only push-ups, sit ups, and walking on the treadmill. Joining a tennis league, playing with children on a running around, they are all good ways to get exercise in a fun way.

Finally, you must reward yourself for achieving realistic targets this makes exercise much more entertaining. Remember that if you are overweight, you have high risk of coronary heart disease or other chronic health problems
Following are some of the myths and facts about exercise-

Myth: You can only see health benefits with serious exercise such as running a marathon or heavy weight lifting.
Fact: Research continues to show that any amount of exercise, regardless of age, is always better than no exercise. Generally, the more you exercise, the greater the benefits. Many newcomers can enjoy the health benefits by merely achieving 60 minutes per week.

Myth: It is too late to start.
Fact: It’s never too late to start exercising. In older adults, a little exercise can make a great difference, and the more you do it, the greater the health benefits. Of course, if you have a chronic condition such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes, you should check with your doctor first as a precautionary measure to be taken.

Myth: No pain, no gain.
Fact: Sensible exercise programs can be inconvenient, but it should not be painful. If the exercise hurts, you may be doing something wrong.

Myth: Exercise takes too much of my free time.
Fact: Exercise doesn’t need to be done in one long session, you can break it up into parts during the day, or slip it into your working hours: Instead of jockeying for the best parking space, choose the one that is farthest. Take stairs instead of the elevator, whenever you can.

Walking is the easiest and most convenient form of exercise, and the best part of it is that it’s free. Studies show that women who walk four or more hours per week have lesser hip fractures than women who walk less than one hour per week.  Studies show that sedentary women, 65 years and older, who started to walk, reduced their rates of death from all causes by 50 percent. Let exercise become a daily part of your life to improve your overall health.

Eating nuts helps your heart! Surprised? Yes, research shows that eating nuts as part of a healthy diet helps lower your cholesterol and protects your heart. People think nuts is a junk snack it is quite the contrary, nuts is a health snack packed with protein and other healthful nutrients that is good for the human body.

Nuts contain the following heart healthy nutrients that help protect your heart and make you less susceptible to heart diseases like heart attack.
Nuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help regulate heart rhythms and hence reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Nuts contain fibre that controls hunger pangs and reduces calorie intake. It also is known to lower cholesterol and help in diabetes control.
Nuts have high levels of Vitamin E that reduces risk of coronary artery diseases and heart attacks. Nuts stop the development of plaques which narrows arteries that leads to chest pain and heart attacks.
Some varieties of nuts contain plant sterols that have the property of reducing cholesterol. While plant sterols are added to juices and health products, it is present naturally in nuts.

Nuts contain mono and poly unsaturated fats that are known to reduce the bad cholesterol in the body and lowers cardiovascular risk.
I-arginine a substance that improves the health of the arteries is present in nuts. It makes the arteries more flexible and increases blood vessel function. I-arginine reduces the risk of blood clots that can block the flow of blood and cause heart attacks.

Include nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews in your diet as they can show spectacular results when combined with a healthy and wholesome diet. Avoid nuts that are fried or salted instead eat nuts in their natural form. Eating about 2 ounces of nuts a week can take you one step backward from various heart related diseases. Munch on nuts as a mid day snack and keep your heart healthy.