psychology
Too Much News Can Be Bad for Your Heart
Of course you want to be up to date on current events, but obsessively watching news about the stock market and unemployment numbers can result in a greater production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase your risk of heart disease.
Gratitude is Good for Your Health
Pausing to acknowledge the good things in your life not only makes you happier; it may also improve your health. Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience lowered blood pressure, feel less hostile, and are more likely to quit smoking and lose weight.
Focus on Motivators That Make Exercise Easier
Women who exercise to improve their health, reduce stress, or spend time with friends are more motivated to exercise than women who focus solely on weight loss, found a study at the University of Michigan. Try to set up your exercise regimen so it satisfies one or more of these benefits, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and workout consistently.
A Bad Boss Can Lead to Heart Problems
While it's no surprise that a stressful job can lead to heart disease, experts are now pointing fingers at a potential cause: an unsupportive or critical supervisor. In a Swedish study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, a direct link was found between men who identified their bosses as unfair, arbitrary, and inconsiderate and incidence of heart disease.
Watch a Funny Movie
Laughter really is the best medicine. A recent study at University of Maryland Medical Center found that after watching a humorous video clip, participants in the study experienced a 19 percent improvement in blood flow in the brachial artery, which is located in the forearm.
Listen to Music That Makes You Happy
While previous studies show that listening to soothing music can reduce your blood pressure, a 2008 study at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that music also improves blood flow. Participants were asked to listen to music that made them feel good and music that made them anxious.
Vacationing Is Good for Your Heart
A recent Framingham Heart Study found that women who took at least two vacations a year were eight times less likely to die of a heart attack than women who only took a vacation every six years. No surprise here: Vacations are wonderful stress relievers.
Source: International Herald Tribune.
Learn to Eat Slowly
It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that your stomach is full, so it follows that if you eat slowly you’ll eat less. To slow it down, chew your food completely, take breaks in between and drink plenty of water with every meal. Before taking seconds, wait five or 10 minutes to see if you really are still hungry.
Try to Find the Silver Lining
A positive outlook is good for your heart: Optimists are 30 percent less likely to die of heart disease than pessimists, found a University of Pittsburgh study following 100,000 postmenopausal women. The next time you face a challenge, count your blessings or talk it over with a friend until you find the brighter side of things.
Subscribe
4701 Willard Ave., Suite 223, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301.718.8033 1.888.718.8033