Tips to Manage Your Stress to Prevent Heart Disease
Stress is the physiological and psychological reaction to pressure. A little stress can help with motivation and concentration to achieve a goal. However, chronic stress can drain us physically and mentally.
Stress can elicit physical reactions such as headaches, stiff neck, back and shoulder pain, stomachache, etc. One of the conditions often related to stress is raised blood pressure and cholesterol level or even instigating overeating or smoking, leading to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke or even a heart attack.
Each person has a different coping mechanism to tackle and manage stress. Some see stress as an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone; some perceive it as a threat to their daily life. Gaining skills in managing stress can make a big difference in maintaining mental and physical well-being.
To cope with stress, you should be able to:
- Recognize your stress symptoms
- Identify what triggers your stress
- Accept that you cannot control everything
- Know how to let go
There are things that you can do to relieve and manage your stress. For example:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthily
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Have a good quality sleep
- Quit smoking
- Minimize caffeine intake
Besides sticking to a healthy daily routine, you can try something new to uplift your emotion.
- Acknowledge and appreciate your strength and what you are skillful and proficient in.
- Keep a journal as a channel to express how you feel. Writing it out can help reduce stress, anxiety, or depression. You can open up to yourself, identify and let go of things that bother you.
- Try something new such as a new hobby, to change your focus. You may find that you have a hidden talent, can achieve new challenging things you never thought you could accomplish, and mindfully step out of your fear.
- Volunteer and take part in society. Helping people out is a simple way to show your kindness and compassion. A kind act can paint your face with a smile and bring happiness and warmth to your heart whenever you think about it.
After trying everything above, but still feeling stressed or depressed, consult a doctor or psychiatrist for a relaxation or stress reduction technique. Recognizing the cause of your stress and knowing how to tackle it at the very beginning can benefit your heart and body, your relationship, and the people around you.
Article by
Dr Lanchasak Akkayagorn
A doctor specializing in psychiatry
Doctor profile