Stress Management and Heart Health: 5 Things you must know

What’s stressful to one person isn’t for another. Happy events (new marriage, job promotion, new home) and unhappy events (illness, being overworked, family problems) can cause stress.

Everyone feels and reacts to stress in different ways. How much stress you experience and how you react to it can lead to a wide variety of health problems and that’s why it’s critical to know what you can do about it. Here 5 things you must know to manage your stress and heart health:

1. Exercise Regularly 

Want to feel better, have more energy, and even add years to your life? Just exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, sex, or physical ability. It can relieve stress, tension, anxiety, and depression. Consider a nature walk, meditation, or yoga. 

2. Making time for Friends and Family 

It is important to maintain social connections and talk with people you trust. We need in-person interactions to reap the full benefits of social connection. Those who experience less loneliness cultivate meaningful relationships, including a social network and a committed relationship. Interacting with a close social network, especially face-to-face communication, as opposed to digital, significantly reduces the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and other mental illness. Being physically present with loved ones creates strong emotional support to buoy you up through life’s challenges.

3. Getting enough Sleep 

Sleep and mental health are closely connected. Sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health. And those with mental health problems are more likely to have insomnia or other sleep disorders. During “quiet” sleep, a person progresses through four stages of increasingly deep sleep. Body temperature drops, muscles relax, and heart rate and breathing slow. The deepest stage of quiet sleep produces physiological changes that help boost immune system functioning.

4. Practicing Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques can reduce stress symptoms and help you enjoy a better quality of life, especially if you have an illness. Relaxation techniques are a great way to help with stress management. Relaxation isn’t only about peace of mind or enjoying a hobby. Relaxation is a process that decreases the effects of stress on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress and with stress related to various health problems, such as heart disease and pain.

5. Find a Stimulating Hobby

Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression. Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Group activities like team sports can improve your communication skills and relationships with others.

Your interests may be creative, athletic, academic, or something distinctly personal. You may choose a hobby that you can do alone or as part of a group. Whatever your interests are, there is sure to be a hobby out there for you. What matters is that it is something you find meaningful and enjoyable.