There are lots of things you need to know about taking care of yourself when you have heart failure.

Knowing, of course, is the easy part.

It's the doing that's hard, especially over time.

Let's start with what works: things that you've managed to make part of your day.

You might not even think of them like tasks anymore.

They're just ... things you do to take care of yourself and your heart.

Like weighing yourself ... walking ... eating less salt.

Whatever it is that you've made part of your routine, you should be proud of the effort it took to get there.

If you feel you've gotten off track with your self-care goals, or feel like you're not doing all that you can, don't be too hard on yourself.

Some tasks are easier than others to do every day.

Trying to make every change all at once can feel like too much.

There are small steps you can take today to make things better.

First, think of something that you're not doing well, something that you struggle with.

Maybe it's taking your medicine on time.

Or tracking your salt intake, at home or when you go out.

It could be finding activity that makes you feel good.

Now, take a moment to think about why you're having a hard time with that one task.

Can you see a way to get past that problem?

It might help to think about why you're making the effort to care for your heart at all ...

Is it to stay out of the hospital?

Or to feel better so you can be more independent?

Maybe it's to spend more time with family and friends?

There's no right answer to this. It's personal.

Speaking of friends ... and family ...

They can help you get back on track.

Your doctor can too.

You're not alone ...

Reach out for help.

It can make a big difference.

Taking care of yourself isn't all tasks and tracking.

Parts of it can be fun.

Think about what you really enjoy doing ...

It could be anything at all ...

having lunch with a friend, gardening, babysitting your grandkids.

And make sure you do that.

Because that's good for your heart, too.