Life happens, which means stress happens. We can’t always prevent or avoid feelings of stress or anxiety. But constant stress can harm your overall health and is linked to many unhealthy habits related to poor heart health – poor food choices, lack of energy, reduced exercise, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Breaking the connection between stress-related unhealthy habits requires learning to deal with stress and managing unhealthy habits. Here are five tips that can help you do that.
– Laugh it out – Laughing helps lower stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the heart, and increases “good” HDL cholesterol.
– Meditate – Meditation (including yoga and prayer) helps calm your mind and body, which helps reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure.
– Exercise – Physical activity promotes the release of mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercise not only helps you destress, but it helps lower your blood pressure, strengthen your heart muscles, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
– Unplug – Take time each day – just 10 or 15 minutes – to escape life stressors and relax your mind. Turn off your phone, avoid emails, and don’t watch the news – the few minutes are a great time to practice meditation.
– Find ways to destress – Practice simple daily things that help you relax – a warm bath, listening to music, spending time on a favorite hobby, or playing with your pet. Doing a simple (and relaxing) thing can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in life.
Source:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-ways-to-de-stress-and-help-your-heart
