Mental Health

The Important Link Between Mental Health and Heart Health

The number one cause of death in America is cardiovascular disease. That makes heart health a leading health concern in our country. Are you aware that your mental health can make a difference in
your heart health? It can, and here’s why…..

Everything Works Together Because We’re All One Piece

Most people are aware that things like smoking cigarettes, eating fatty foods and being overweight areMental Health 14 bad for their heart. That’s because you are not a conglomeration of separate parts, but you are a unitary organism. All of your parts are inter-related. That connectivity extends to your mind and mood as well.

Limit Your Mood Swings

You know that you should limit salt and cholesterol, but you should also do what you can to limit your stress, anxiety and depression too. That’s because those things affect your heart. Healthy habits involve the things which affect your physical body AND your emotions.

Lower Stress

Stress in particular has come to be seen as a pivotal player when it comes to heart health. Not everyone is stressed by the same things or even to the same degree, but everyone should learn positive ways to lower daily stress.

For example, if you spend a lot of time thinking about the things that are going wrong in your life, you could be hurting your heart – figuratively and literally. On the other hand, stuffing down and internalizing negative emotions can also cause damage.

Mental health produces biochemical realities within your body. If you are stressed and anxious, then your mood can actually restrict blood flow to your heart or make it more likely that blockages will form.

Depression Raises Risk, Lowers Rehab

People who are depressed run a greater chance of developing heart disease. Many people who are dealing with heart disease become depressed and that can make it tougher for them to recover. You may not be able to stop yourself from experiencing depression, but you can do something about it.

Take Charge of Your Mental Health

You really can’t do anything about your family history when it comes to heart health. You may be at risk just because it’s in your family. But you can take charge of your mental health and that is one way to protect your heart. Don’t ignore stress, anxiety and depression – deal with them. Take control over
your thoughts. Find positive ways to express negative feelings. If you would like help learning to manage your moods, contact the professionals at Family Guidance.