Your heart doesn’t need sunscreen, but it needs naps and watermelon in the next few months. Yes, summer is almost here, and taking care of your heart as much as the rest of your body is essential. It’s crucial as extreme heat can strain it and increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. High temperatures make your heart work harder to regulate body temperature, and that’s why fitness experts say, ‘Don’t let your heart work harder than your AC in summer.’ Staying hydrated, eating light, and avoiding overexertion help keep your heart healthy during the heat.

Here are a few healthy habits to ensure heart health this summer:
1) Regular health checkups help keep cholesterol and blood pressure at bay. Moreover, these checkups would give you timely warnings to take necessary precautions to protect the heart.
2) Avoid outdoor activities and jobs when the temperature is soaring during the day. High heat and humidity would strain the heart, so it is better to be indoors when the sun is harshest.
3) Keeping the body hydrated is important during the summer. Besides drinking lots of water, food with high water content could be added to your regular diet. Strawberries, watermelon, peach, and cucumber hydrate the body while nourishing it with nutrients. Moreover, these fruits and vegetables are great for maintaining heart health.

4) Proper precautions need to be taken against summer diseases. Make sure to keep yourself safe from getting sun strokes. Symptoms like over-sweating, vomiting and increased heart rates shouldn’t be ignored. Try moving to a cooler location or environment if you experience these symptoms; do not hesitate to seek medical help if required.
5) Mental health shouldn’t be ignored during summer, as stress and anxiety might ruin heart health. Yoga, meditation, enjoying physical activities in the evening and spending time with your loved ones are some ways to keep your heart healthy. Moreover, try to create a happy and positive ambience inside your house. Food containing monounsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals should be included in your regular diet to reduce cholesterol levels and protect your heart.