In life we encounter many situations that can be stressful for us such as unhappy events, work pressure, job interview… Which can lead to higher stress levels that can be really harmful for our heart health on the short and long terms. Knowing how to deal with our stress levels is a milestone in the journey of preserving a healthy heart and avoiding critical cardiovascular diseases.

What is Stress?

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being_{(World Health Organization)}

When Stress becomes a problem?

While it is a physiological response, engaged to allow us to adapt to different life situations, stress can become a serious problem when it reaches unnatural levels, or when a person is under long term stress from weeks to months known as chronic stress.

How Stress Affects me?

Being under stress engages our automatic nervous system which controls our heart rate, breathing, digestion, blood pressure… When experiencing chronic stress our body remain under long-term stress mode, which wears our body and mind reflecting many behavioral and body-mind issues.

Adopting poor health behaviors:

- Smoking
- Lower physical activity
- Overeating leading to obesity
- Addiction to drugs and toxics
- Social isolation
- Irritability

Bad body responses to stress:

- Headaches
- Muscle tensions
- Stomach pains
- Insomnia
- Hives
- Sexual dysfunction

What critical problems can stress lead to?

Stress can induce several heart health problems and diseases. It can introduce cardiovascular risks, or even increase their effects in heart patients. Cardiovascular risks associated with stress can be:

- High Blood Pressure
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Alcohol consumption

Stress can be a factor to develop critical cardiac diseases and problems as the following:

- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure

How can I manage my stress levels?

Managing stress is essential for maintaining overall cardiovascular health. Here are several effective strategies and practices to help lower stress levels:

Always exercise: it relieves stress and tension, gives a positive mental attitude which keeps disturbances away. A walk with your dog, or maybe a gym session can be really helpful.
Practice Relaxation: techniques like meditation, diaphragmatic breathing and yoga do really clear our mind and loose body’s stress tension.
Getting enough sleep: always aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, sleep is a pivotal factor to enhance not just hearth health, but overall body health.
Eat a balanced healthy diet: rich healthy diet is important to supply our body with good quality carbs, proteins, fats and minerals.
Spend good times with friends and family: having good friends is a gem in life, they share with us good energies and allow us to forget about life issues.
Find an interesting hobby: playing music, reading, hiking… keep you engaged in what you love to do, and away from life worries.
Stay away from stressors: you don’t want to keep in touch with stressors, try to limit the exposure or even find a new way to avoid them completely.

Managing our stress is a crucial step to enhance our cardiovascular health by applying lifestyle changes and good practices in order to engage in a new positive attitude and avoid critical heart diseases.

Harmonic Wellness

Experience effective methods and practices that enhance cardiovascular wellness and overall heart health.