5 Ways to Calm Your Mind and Heal Your Heart
If we’ve learned anything from the past three years, it’s that life can be pretty unpredictable. As a human race, we’ve had some global, pandemic-sized curveballs thrown our way. Plus, life is just super stressful in general. Work. Parenting. Adulting. Eating healthy. Finding time for your family. Finding time for yourself. Oof.
The point is, it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed. But if those feelings are becoming more frequent or intense – your heart could suffer the consequences.
Your heart and mind are deeply connected. In fact, when you’re angry or upset, your body releases coping hormones – which could cause your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to spike.
In small doses, it’s totally fine – your heart rate and BP will go back to normal. But if you’re in a consistent state of stress, your heart won’t have a chance to recover, which could lead to some serious issues down the road.
That’s why we connected with our friends at Virtua Health, who have a nationally recognized cardiology program, to chat through some simple ways to keep your mind calm and your heart healthy.
1. Call a timeout
Take a moment for yourself. Step away. Get outside. Go for a walk. Take some deep, calming breaths.
2. Talk it out
Whether it’s with your support system or even with yourself, talking about your feelings is a great way to work through rough situations.
3. Meditate
There’s some really great apps out there like Calm and Headspace that can help with stress-reducing exercises. Yoga is another great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
4. Do what makes you happy
Maybe it’s reading a book, binging a show, listening to music, writing, knitting, gardening, video games. If it makes you happy and helps you decompress, do it!
5. Go easy on yourself
Feel your feelings. Let your emotions have their time. Don’t judge yourself or ever feel less than. And try to remind yourself that these feelings, whether it’s a panic or anxiety attack, will pass.
At the end of the day, life can be a bit much sometimes. But by acknowledging your feelings and learning how to manage your emotions – you’ll not only improve your wellbeing, but maybe even your heart health as well.
Real Talk! Women’s Health Chats
Between work, family, and everyday life – taking time for yourself can be a challenge. That’s why Virtua Health created Real Talk! Women’s Health Chats – it’s live and unfiltered featuring real women discussing topics that matter most to you. Join Virtua for their next chat: Heart-to-Heart: keeping your physical and emotional hearts healthy – Thursday, February 3 at 7 p.m. – where experts share practical ways to keep your mind calm and your heart healthy. Register for free!
