A recent study revealed that people who often engage in leisure time physical activities, such as going for a bike ride or taking a walk, have a lower risk of heart disease compared to people who pass their free time less actively. Two hours per week of leisure time activities decreased heart disease risk by as much as 61 percent.
There are many enjoyable physical activities that you can incorporate into your leisure time for better heart health. Try gardening, playing games with your kids, going sightseeing or window shopping, playing sports, or working on home improvement projects. When it’s cold outside, go ice skating, cross country skiing, or sledding. Take advantage of warmer weather by hiking outside or learning a water sport, such as sailing, canoeing, or kayaking.