Four Ways to Stress Less

Rest and relaxation are not only great ways to de-stress but are key to taking care of your heart. Stress is a known factor for poor cardiac health by triggering inflammation in the body and more subtly influencing unhealthy behaviors that can increase your risk for heart disease. Scroll for four ways you can start your journey to stress less!

Laugh

Laughter can jumpstart happiness and a better heart by mitigating the negative symptoms that result from stress. Laughing triggers the release of endorphins that help lower your blood pressure, may improve your blood circulation, and boost your immune system.

Increase your opportunity for a good time by adding a comedy special to your Netflix queue or calling your family and friends to look back on funny memories!

Meditate

Meditation is the practice of using a set of techniques intended to encourage a heightened sense of awareness and focused attention. Through inward‑focused thought and deep breathing, meditation relaxes the mind and body while reducing risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure.

Organizations like Black Girl in Om and Heal Haus have created spaces for healing and wellness for women and people of color, offering free and paid guided meditations, yoga classes, and more.

Spend Time on Your Favorite Hobby

Taking up a hobby is a great way to relieve and minimize the impact of chronic stress. By spending dedicated time on an activity you enjoy, you can increase your happiness while decreasing your blood pressure.

Some of our staff members’ favorite stress‑reducing hobbies include listening to music, knitting (like our sisters at Delta Chi Chapter), cooking, and spending socially‑distanced time outdoors.

Exercise

Exercise has incredible benefits for your head and heart! Aerobic activity helps stimulate the production of endorphins, reduce levels of the body’s stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, and alleviate the physical symptoms of mental stress.

Read our “Seven Ways to Get Your Heart Pumping” post for new ways to get moving!

We recommend consulting your doctor or health professional when identifying your stressors and finding new ways to manage and treat your stress.

Have you been practicing new ways to relieve stress? Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to share how you stress less.