Can mind/body practices improve heart health?
Imagine if 30 minutes of mindfulness a day could improve your heart health? If that sounds far-fetched, trust us, it’s actually more realistic than you may think!
Mind and body practices can have a restorative and positive impact on heart health, primarily by reducing stress and enhancing your overall well-being. While these techniques may not be able to cure heart diseases, they can certainly contribute to better heart health.
How so?
Stress reduction
- Many mind/body practices, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga and tai chi are effective in reducing stress. Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease by raising your blood pressure and increasing inflammation. So, it makes sense to lower your stress levels to help mitigate these risk factors.
Blood pressure control
- Mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing exercises can also work to regulate blood pressure. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease, which makes managing this condition necessary for your heart to function well.
Emotional wellbeing
- Mind/body practices can boost emotional well-being and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Mental health is closely linked to heart health as psychological stress can contribute to heart disease.
Better physicality
- Some mind and body practices involve physical activity that can further improve your cardiovascular fitness. Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of heart health.
Improved sleep
- Want to sleep better? Mind/body practices can improve sleep quality and duration. Poor sleep is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, which means that getting enough restful sleep every night is essential.
Reduced inflammation
- Chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease. Yoga and meditation may help to reduce inflammation markers in your body.
Behavioural changes
- Mindfulness practices have a good reputation for increasing self-awareness and self-control. This can trigger healthier lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and enjoying a more heart-friendly diet.
Heart rate variability
Did you know that meditation and relaxation practices can actually make your heart happier? Yep, it’s true. Heart rate variability (HRV) is basically the time between your heartbeats. When your HRV is higher, it's like a thumbs-up for your heart health. It means that your autonomic nervous system, which controls your heart rate, is working well.
So, more HRV signals that your nervous system is super adaptable, which is great news for your heart.
Meditation and chill-out methods, like mindfulness, meditation and breathwork are great for soothing stress and helping you relax. They work their magic by getting your "chill-out" nervous system (parasympathetic) going, which slows down your heart rate and makes your heart's rhythm more flexible. This can do wonders for your heart by reducing the pressure on it and making it work better.
But remember, while these relaxation tricks are awesome for your heart, they're just one piece of the puzzle. To really keep your ticker happy, you have to eat nutritious foods, stay active and if your doctor prescribes; take your medication.
Good to know
Keep in mind that these tips can help your heart stay in good shape, but they shouldn't be your only focus. You still need to eat well, stay active and follow your doctor's advice if you have a heart condition. Before you dive into any new yoga routine, take up meditation practices or decide to make big lifestyle changes, it's smart to chat with a doctor.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.