Exercise for Lower Cholesterol

It is not difficult to manage cholesterol levels. In fact with so many diet options, the choice is wide. However, a more prudent and sustaining method are through regular exercise and the choices are no fewer. Medical experts believe that even moderate exercise done regularly for half an hour 2 – 3 times a week can:

1. Decrease the level of the “bad” cholesterol (LDL)
2. Increase the level of the “good” cholesterol (HDL)
3. Reduce significantly the danger of heart disease and other major fall outs due to high cholesterol levels.

The best exercise you can start with is walking. It is free and you need not depend on anybody to indulge in a long brisk walk. Moreover, you can walk at any time and the place is not a constraint either. You can take a stroll around your office area or catch a brisk walk early morning before going to the office. You can even try the treadmill at home. It really is a piece of cake and has fantastic benefits associated with it.
You can develop the habit by:

1. Parking your vehicle a little away from your location and walk that extra distance.
2. Do not use the lift and foot it up whenever you can

Suggestion
If you find walking alone is tedious, tie up with a friend and work out a schedule. This way you will have company, can socialize and also are forced to keep to schedule having made a commitment. It ensures you are regular and that is a crucial parameter to judge the effectiveness of walking.

There are other activities which you may consider like biking, swimming, hiking which are taxing and require good effort from your side. Alternately, you could go for the milder form of aerobic activity like Tai Chi, Yoga or Pilates. These render suppleness to your body and elevate the spirit and have a very positive impact on reducing cholesterol.

If the above activities still do not enthuse, why not do it as a duty. You can clean the car, mow the lawn or even do some gardening and feel good all the while that you are doing something productive and at the same time giving your heart a good work out.

Take a Break
Exercising consistently relieves you of tension and loosens your body. There are other methods also to achieve mental peace and calm. Reducing stress this way automatically decreases the cholesterol levels. Some of them are:

1. Have time for yourself : You need to sit and reflect for some time each day all by yourself. The breathing should be deep and the thoughts peaceful and pleasant.
2. Restrict consumption of caffeine and carbonated drinks :  These can induce anxiety and are not recommended.
3. Keep away from issues which irritate you :  You need to ensure that your mind is not irritated by things over which you have little control. If it is traffic for instance, you can leave early and beat the rush. This way you are less stressed.
4. Make your commute enjoyable :  You can beat the monotony of travel by either reading a book or listening to some music.

The above measures will surely help you to decrease stress and reduce the cholesterol levels.