Stress Management
Stress
During stress, the body experiences a series of reactions that can damage the heart and impact your overall health.
- Heart rate increases.
- Blood pressure is higher.
- Blood clots form more easily.
- Metabolism slows.
- Blood vessels and arteries get smaller.
- Blood sugar levels increase.
- Harmful stress hormones are released.
The combination of these factors can damage your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease. Stress is an important risk factor that you can control.
How to Lower Stress
Stress is different for every person. It is important to take a look at yourself and your habits to recognize how you can change.
- Keep stress in perspective. Most problems are not the end of the world.
- Let go of unrealistic expectations.
- Take time for yourself. Take a walk, read, listen to music, or paint.
- Exercise helps reduce stress. It lowers the harmful physical response to stress, promotes relaxation, and provides a chance to take a break.
- Yoga focuses on relaxing both the body and mind while improving balance and flexibility.
- Tai Chi is quiet, gentle motion with physical and mental benefits.
- Breathe focusing on the pattern of your breathing. Make an effort to breathe slowly and deeply. Expand your stomach as you breathe in and squeeze your stomach as you breathe out.
- Imagery uses all your senses to take you to a place in your mind that makes you feel calm and at peace. For example, if you visualize the ocean, imagine every detail, such as the sound of waves, smell of the sea, feeling of the sun, and texture of the sand.
