Issue #16: love your HEART
my human design, when the dust settles, cardiovascular health, and opening your heart
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“You know the truth by the way it feels.”
~ India Arie
Women + Cardiovascular Health
This is a topic near to our hearts… because we both have family history of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular health is a critical aspect of overall well-being for women, but we now just catching up as we were left out of research on heart health until the 1980’s. As women, we have unique risks and differences that can impact our heart health when compared to men (the symptoms of a heart attack can even look different for us).
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, surpassing even breast cancer, and Black and Hispanic women are disproportionally affected. Several factors contribute to this heightened risk, including hormonal changes, lifestyle choices, and genetic predispositions. The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular issues due to decreased estrogen levels, which have a protective effect on heart health. Awareness and early intervention are crucial in managing and mitigating these risks.
Lifestyle choices also play a significant role in cardiovascular health. Smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor dietary habits are major risk factors that can be controlled to reduce the likelihood of heart disease. Regular exercise (see these recommendations on how much per week or try this 8 week plan if you are looking for some structure to get started), a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (we loved some of the recipes from this 30-Day Heart-Healthy, Anti-Inflammatory Dinner Plan, and avoiding smoking (check out pdf below if you are looking to quit) can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. Moreover, managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight are important preventive measures. Women are encouraged to undergo regular health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes checks, to catch any potential issues early and take proactive steps to address them.
In addition to lifestyle modifications, understanding and managing specific risk factors unique to women is essential. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, can have long-term effects on cardiovascular health. A family history of cardiovascular disease can increase a woman's risk, necessitating more monitoring and preventive strategies.
TASTE: Omnivore. Created and narrated by René Redzepi, the esteemed chef and co-owner of world-renowned restaurant Noma, “Omnivore” takes viewers on an immersive journey into the world of food, exploring the profound beauty and intricate complexities of the human experience through the lens of the key ingredients that connect us all. Each episode features eight of the world's most essential ingredients, including bananas, chilies, coffee, corn, pork, rice, salt and tuna, revealing how they serve as the cornerstones of global cultural heritage.
SEE: Young Woman and the Sea. Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England. Speaking of the Olympics…the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris is happening right now! Check out the website for schedule information to catch your favorite events!
SMELL: DIY Roll On Deodorant With Magnesium. Not only is this aluminum-free and alcohol-free, but it offers natural odor protection. It can easily work for even sensitive skin types and you can customize the scent! This recipe uses magnesium to help combat underarm odor and restore mineral balance. It’s fairly quick drying thanks to the arrowroot and baking soda. You can also add moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin if you’d like. PS- Magnesium may also support a healthy heart.
HEAR: All Songs Considered. It's the podcast... as a playlist! For nearly two decades, NPR’s All Songs Considered has treated music discovery as a mission, to share in the joy of new artists and old favorites. The Spotify playlist is updated weekly with songs featured on the show. From the wildly infectious "Aprender A Amar" from Argentine singer Nathy Peluso to the mind-blowing virtuosity of pianist Yuja Wang and more.
TOUCH: What Heart Rate Variability Means on Your Fitness Tracker—and Whether It's Worth Paying Attention To. Heart rate variability is the variance in the timing between each heartbeat. When you are at rest, your heart rate sits at around 60 beats per minute. But if you were to examine the timing between each beat very closely, you'd discover that it's not exactly beating at one-second intervals all the time. Sometimes your heart will beat every second, and sometimes it'll beat after 1.1 seconds or 0.9 seconds. There's a difference, or variance, in the timing between each beat. This is your heart rate variability and here is what cardiologists think of it.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
“And when the dust settles, your marriage is different from what it was. Not better, necessarily; not worse, necessarily; but different.”
~ Nora Ephron
We are curious how you feel about this? Do you agree? How has parenthood changed your marriage?
If you missed Theresa’s chat on intimacy + parenthood with Coral Slavin + Erica Karek this season on the podcast, listen here.
JOIN us wednesday, AUGUST 21st
Join us for an Interwovxn screening of Periodical by director Lina Plioplyte! We will be hosting a night of film and discussion on Wednesday, August 21 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Next Act Theatre.
We wish that all menstruators (and those who love menstruators) could see this film. It is done in a beautiful and fun way and challenges the stigmas around menstruation and menopause while shining a light on period poverty and the tampon tax (which 20 states including Wisconsin still charge).
"If we all suddenly start talking about menstruation, guess what? Our daughters won't have the stigma attached to it...We just need a critical mass of talkers, celebrators ... people who are loud about their tampon needs or their cramps or their PMS or, for God's sake, the menopause." ~ Filmmaker Lina Lyte Plioplyte
Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s Period Program.
Join us for a beverage (beverages will be available for purchase) before the film starts at 6:30pm. The film is 1 hour and 33 minutes and after the film, we will have a short panel discussion with Representative Robyn Vining (WI Assembly District 14), Dr. Emily Lombard (DO, Obstetrics/Gynecology), Nicole Dachs (Co-founder of Milwaukee Period Parties and Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s Period Program Volunteer), and Rebecca Jankowski (Co-Founder of Interwovxn and Licensed Reproductive Acupuncturist).
Want to make it a night out? We are thrilled to partner with Bavette La Boucherie and Cafe Corazon who are offering a discount on dining before and after the show for ticketholders.
my (Rebecca) WIN: leaning into MY HUMAN DESIGN
I was just talking to a friend about how I have been focusing on bringing moments of joy into my life in small ways by taking time in my “ideal environment”. Years ago a friend recommended doing my chart through My Human Design. I have always found astrology and birth charts really interesting so jumped on, entered my birth date, time, and place and got my report! One of the many things it revealed was that my environment or the place that I feel most in alignment with myself is in markets (there are six different environments- Caves, Markets, Kitchens, Mountains, Valleys, or Shores).
I always thought that I like shopping because I grew up with a mom who liked shopping and so it was some sort of emotional default. I spent a good part of my adult life fighting against it, but have come to realize that it is not the act of buying that makes me happy but the art of looking.
Read on to learn more about my human design (and how to map out yours) and ways to open your heart when it feels blocked.
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