HEALTH & WELLNESS
Healthy lifestyle tip: cut your stress
A heart-to-heart about stress
heart, try these tips:
• Figure out the cause of the stress and address it. Is your
Stress – it’s that unwelcome little six-letter word associated
desk buried under piles of work? Take a chunk of time
with daylong coffee and carb binges, nail biting and anxiety.
out of your workday to relax; try taking a stroll on your
In some cases, stress actually isn’t a bad thing. You might
lunch break – your work will still be waiting when you
find the added pressure helps you get more done at work, or
return, and you’ll be in a better frame of mind
increases your energy levels. Still, extended peHEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM to tackle it.
riods of stress may be harmful to your health,
• Be good to your body. Don’t turn to greasy,
because they leave your heart exposed to high
high-calorie, high-fat fast food. Focus on
levels of stress hormones known as catecholhealthy fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
amine hormones.
Exercise on most days – even just a brisk walk
Left unchecked, stress can help trigger a
around
the
block helps. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol in
host of problems, including:
excess
or
take
drugs. Establish a regular sleep routine;
• High blood pressure
try
to
get
at
least
seven to eight hours each night – criti• Abnormal heart rhythms – fluttering, rapid heartbeat or
cally important for handling stress.
skipping beats
• Bend an ear. Talk about your problems with a loved one,
• Artery damage, including coronary artery disease
or find a trusted friend who can provide support.
• Problems with breathing
•
Learn the art of relaxation. Techniques include deep
• Unhealthy habits such as overeating, smoking and drug
breathing and focused imagery (pushing stress aside in
and alcohol abuse
favor of a relaxing image).
Harvard researchers studied stress in women and found that
You can win the battle with stress – and as victor, you will
women with highly stressful jobs were 40 percent more likely
achieve a healthier, more balanced and enjoyable life.
to develop heart disease than colleagues facing less stress.
Their findings regarding ongoing stress are a red flag for men,
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more informaas well!
tion about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge