Saturday, May 26, 2012

Stress, Cortisol, and Your Heart

By Lisa Nelson, Health Pro Sunday, October 19, 2008

 

Physical activity, especially aerobic activity, is a great stress management tool.  Activity releases the "feel good" hormone serotonin to help combat the negative effects of long term stress.  As an added bonus, you burn calories to shed the extra layer of fat.

 

Additional interventions to reduce stress include deep breathing, progressive relaxation, meditation, and visualization.  Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new that may be effective at reducing your stress levels.  Getting enough sleep and making healthy food choices are two additional steps to promote stress management.

 

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By Lisa Nelson, Health Pro— Last Modified: 10/27/11, First Published: 10/19/08