Manage stress and sleep
Chronic stress and insufficient sleep can cause a hyperactive nervous system, leading to surges in blood pressure and heart rate which, in the long term, are linked with heart disease. Chronic stress is a known risk factor for heart disease.
The optimum amount of sleep is seven to eight hours a night. Less than six, or more than ten, hours a night are linked to a greater likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Getting the right amount of sleep and treating sleep disorders like sleep apnoea and insomnia may protect against high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
Stress and the effect it has on your body has been linked to heart disease. Learning how to relax is very important. Exercise is a good way to counteract the negative effects of stress and give your body a surge of the mood-enhancing chemicals called endorphins. Deep breathing and mindfulness-based meditation can also ease tension, helping to train your mind to focus on the present.
Whether it’s through exercise, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or other activities that help you relax, it’s important to relieve stress and stay positive. A psychologist or life coach can give you an opportunity to talk through difficulties, discuss a plan for getting better, including specific skills and strategies tailored to you as an individual.
Reference:
Healthy Heart.org. (2022) Stress and sleep. Available at: https://www.healthy-heart.org/keep-your-heart-healthy/stress-and-sleep/ (Accessed 12/11/2022