Stress happens. You can’t always prevent or avoid it. But you can change how you respond to it. Try these tips. You may feel better—and have a healthier heart, too!
Know how stress affects your body
Whether it’s from everyday deadlines, the work-life balancing act, or financial struggles, stress shows up often. Your body reacts to it. Your heart rate increases, your blood vessels narrow—and that’s not healthy, especially over the long term. Research shows that stress can make us more likely to get heart disease and have a heart attack. The origins of heart disease begin at a young age, so the earlier in life you learn how to de-stress, the happier you and your heart will be.
Ongoing stress acts on more than just your heart. It affects everything from your nervous system and hormones to your lungs and gut. You may not see the connection, and healthcare providers may not ask about your stress. So try to listen to your body while thinking about what’s going on in your life.
Turn on your relaxation response
Did you know your body also has a relaxation response? Your breathing slows and blood pressure and heart rate decrease. The good news is you can trigger that response. Ways to do so often combine breathing deeply and focusing your attention on pleasing thoughts and images.
Here are a few relaxation response techniques to try. You can do these on your own or find a teacher or class to start. They may take some practice!
Find your way to healthy relaxing
There’s no one way to control stress. You may want to try a stress management program, do yoga, talk to a professional counselor, take an art class, or join friends for a brisk walk. Being in nature is very soothing for some people.
Finding healthy relaxation exercises is just one way to protect your heart. Combine de-stressing with other heart-healthy habits: eat nutritious foods, move your body more and exercise, get enough sleep, and develop a strong social support system.
Know when it’s more than just stress
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope, are using drugs or alcohol more frequently, or are having suicidal thoughts, seek professional help right away. Resources are available from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Thanks to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for these tips for healthy relaxing to help protect yourself from heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. hearttruth.gov
