Stress and Heart Health: How to Reduce Stress

According to a new study, feeling stressed all the time may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. The study, which was published in The Lancet and received widespread media attention, claims to demonstrate for the first time how stress can lead to heart and circulatory disease in humans. Constant stress has been linked to increased activity in a brain area associated with emotion processing, as well as an increased risk of developing heart and circulatory disease. The Harvard University researchers hypothesise that stress could be as dangerous as smoking or high blood pressure. Here are some stress-reduction strategies that can also benefit your heart health.

Exercise More

Regular exercise and increasing your activity level throughout the day can help reduce stress. Exercise reduces the stress hormone cortisol production in your body. It also produces endorphins, which are the body's feel-good chemicals. They don't just make you feel good; they also help you deal with stress. If exercising feels like a chore and just another thing you have to do, the stress-relieving benefits may be diminished. However, if you enjoy the activity, you will reap a double benefit.

Laugh

Laughter is an excellent stress-reduction tool. It also helps to reduce inflammation and can raise HDL levels (the good cholesterol). Laughter has the following effects on your body: It increases the level of oxygen in your body, helps relieve tension by relaxing your muscles, reduces stress, and can help improve your mood and immune system. Laughter simply makes us feel better. So, look for humour in everyday life (it's okay to laugh at yourself), spend time with people who make you laugh (we've all seen how contagious laughter can be), or watch a comedy movie or show.

Show Your Appreciation

Keeping a gratitude journal or simply thinking about what you're grateful for for a few minutes each day can have numerous benefits and enormous health effects that can protect your heart health and reduce stress. It can boost your immune system, reduce the effects of ageing on the brain, improve your sleep, and reduce stress. According to one study, people who were grateful had a 25% decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.

Practice Yoga Regularly

Yoga helps you relax and strengthen your body while also calming your mind and centering your thoughts. It's a great cardiovascular workout. It lowers blood pressure and other risks of developing heart disease. It can also assist you in dealing with the inevitable stress in your life.

Monitor Your Heart Health

Monitoring heart health is critical before it's too late. Heart disease is becoming increasingly common in India, particularly among the younger generation. Regular heart monitoring through ECG recording will aid in the detection of arrhythmias and provide you with a normal heart ECG report. Monitoring heart rhythms is a critical first step in preventing any cardiovascular disease. Atrial Fibrillation is one type of arrhythmia that can be dangerous. Get a portable ECG machine, like the KardiaMobile 6L, which can monitor your heart rhythm in just 30 seconds, anywhere, and at any time. It is the world's first and only 6 lead personal ECG that uses AI to monitor and detect arrhythmias.

Spend Quality Time With Friends & Family

Time spent with friends and family can benefit both your mental and physical health. According to one study, spending time with friends and children promotes the release of the natural stress-relieving chemical oxytocin. Many studies have found that people who have a strong social network live longer and recover more quickly from health crises such as a heart attack. Having close friends and family members to whom you can turn to can help you manage stress and make your life more enjoyable, both of which can reduce stress.