HEALTH & WELLNESS
A heart-to-heart about stress
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM
Stress – it’s that little six-letter word as-
sociated with daylong coffee binges, nail-
biting and anxiety.
In some cases, stress isn’t a bad thing. You
might find the added pressure helps you get
more done at work or increases your energy
levels. Still, extended periods of stress can be harmful to your
health, because it leaves your heart exposed to high levels of
stress hormones known as “catecholamines.”
Left unchecked, stress can help trigger a host of problems,
including:
• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Artery damage, including coronary artery disease
• Bad habits such as smoking, overeating and drug and al-
cohol abuse
• Breathing problems
• Heart failure and stroke
Harvard researchers found that women with highly stressful
jobs were 40 percent more likely to develop heart disease than
colleagues facing less stress.
Sending stress on its way
When you’re facing a stressful situation, managing it may
seem like an impossible task. But for the sake of your heart, try
these tips:
80
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ MARCH 2018
•
Figure out the cause of the stress and
address it. Is it your desk buried under piles
of work? Make sure to take time out of your
workday to relax, such as taking a leisurely
stroll on your lunch break – and get in those
short breaks, too.
• Be good to your body. Don’t turn to greasy, high-calorie,
high-fat fast food; focus on healthy fruits, vegetables and
whole grains. Exercise on most days, don’t drink alcohol
in excess or take drugs and get into a regular sleep routine
(aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night).
• Talk it out. Take the risk – open up about your problems
with a loved one, or find a trusted friend who can lend
support and give practical counsel.
• Learn the art of relaxation. Techniques include slow,
deep breathing and focused imagery (pushing stress
aside in favor of a relaxing image).
It is possible to win the battle with stress – and to the victor
goes a healthy, more balanced and enjoyable life! d
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more informa-
tion about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge
technologies can improve your quality of life, call 800-555-1990
or request info/an appointment by visiting www.demanddeb-
orah.org.