What can Bruce Springsteen teach you about heart health?

If you did, you witnessed 12 minutes of pure joy. Bruce Sprinsteen loves to perform and he was having a ball. He sang his heart out, danced, slid across the stage and seemed not to care what anyone else thought – just did his thing. He is a rock star. You’d never know he is going to turn sixty this year!

Not many of us get the opportunity to rock the house during the Super Bowl, but taking the opportunity to do something you love, with your heart wide open, can be a great way to reduce stress and keep your heart healthy. Stepping out of your routine and doing something just because it is fun can put a charge on your wellness battery for quite a while.

This summer I had my own “rock star” moment. While attending the National Speakers Association’s Convention (with the theme NSA Rocks) I was asked to help liven up the crowd and deliver the theme during the opening session. I decided to embrace the invitation and found myself standing on a chair in a New York City hotel ballroom in ripped jeans, high heeled boots and a sparkly top playing air guitar and singing along to some of the greatest rock hits. My fellow “rock stars” and I had a grand time. By the end I was sweaty, out of breath, and pumped-up. That excitement has stayed with me into the cold Wisconsin winter. I had forgotten how much fun it can be to wear big hair and lots of eye makeup. It had been a long time since I’d stepped outside my mom/wife/speaker/writer persona and was a bit wild.

The next time an opportunity to dress up, wear a crazy hat or do something outside of your everyday comfort zone comes along – do it! Embrace a bit of silliness or a new adventure. Let your heart be wide open.

Here are some resources to let more fun into your heart:

My friends Kim and Jason Kotecki are all about living life with less stress and more fun.

My fellow “rock star” Chip Lutz (seen behind me in the photo) has great ideas for fun things to do at work.

So, what will you do during Heart Month to let your heart be wide open? Let us know by making a comment below. Thanks!

Eliz Greene is the author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.