Stress Less, Live More

Stress isn’t just a mood-killer—it’s a heart stressor too. Chronic tension spikes cortisol, raising blood pressure and heart disease risk, says the NIH. Cardiac rehab’s got your back with tools to tame it. Try deep breathing: inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 8—repeat 5 times daily. Yoga’s another winner; a 20-minute session with poses like child’s pose or cat-cow eases tension and boosts circulation. Even a quick laugh—watch a comedy clip—drops stress hormones fast. Pair this with exercise (walking or weights) to double the benefit; it burns off adrenaline naturally. Andrew Huberman suggests cold showers to reset your nervous system—30 seconds to start. Aim for calm, not chaos: your heart thrives on peace. Start today—breathe, stretch, smile!

Source: NIH – "Stress and Heart Health"

Link: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart/stress

Also check out the book "Breath" by James Nestor.