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For quite a while, there was no recognition on the connection between mental health and heart health. Well now that thought process is changing as research indicates a connection between the mind and the heart. In other words, biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health can also influence heart disease.
With that in mind, and with May being mental health awareness month, we’ve decided to shed light on ways you can reduce stress, have a more positive mental mindset, and ultimately benefit your heart.
Stress affects the entire body both mentally and physiologically. Common signs of stress may be headaches, trouble sleeping, and frequent mood swings, changes in appetite, feeling overwhelmed, and difficulty concentrating. We are most prone to stress when we haven’t had enough sleep, aren’t eating well, experiencing a major life change or poor physical health.
You might be wondering what the link between heart disease and stress is. Simply put; having too much stress, for too long, is bad for your heart. If you find yourself stressed often without good ways to manage it, you are more prone to have heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats. Moreover, having your body constantly exposed to stress hormones is not any good either –studies from the University of Rochester Medical Center link stress to changes in the way blood clots, which makes a heart attack more probable.
Stress can be tough to manage – but when there is a will, there is a way. If you are finding yourself out of way when it comes to managing stress, try the following:
Sources:
Heart.org
Health.harvard.edu
Sutterhealth.org
Urmc.rochester.edu