Sumter YMCA's Missy Corrigan: Lower your stress levels for a healthier heart and body

Stress is unavoidable, as it is the body's natural response to stimuli and pressure, both positive and negative. The ability to cope is different for everyone based on past experiences, personality or life events. Chronic stress, or even an extremely stressful one-time event, has been shown to have a negative impact on one's cardiovascular health. In fact, research shows that people with high levels of stress are more likely to die of various diseases, including heart attack and stroke.

The amount of stress we encounter increases throughout our lifetime with changes in health, social and economic status. When we are stressed, the body produces stress hormones that trigger a fight-or-flight response and activate the immune system. These stress hormones return to normal once the stressful event is over, but too much stress for an extended period of time can keep the body in the fight-or-flight mode, potentially elevating inflammation levels, which increases the risk for heart disease.

Stress can present itself as emotional, cognitive, physical or behavioral problems such as frustration, anxiety, depression, anger, not thinking things through, having negative thoughts and making poor decisions, inability to sleep, increased heart rate, muscle tension, fatigue, digestive issues, weakened immune system, lack of interest in normal activities, eating more or less, avoidance or aggressive behavior.

Stress also affects all areas of the body including the brain, reproductive system, skin, digestive system, cardiovascular functioning, muscles and immune system. Common symptoms are difficulty concentrating, memory loss or brain fog, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, increased inflammation, aches and pains of joints and muscles, lowered immune defenses, increased risk for illness and slow recovery, bloating and discomfort in the gut, change in appetite, constipation, diarrhea, decreased hormone production, reduced fertility, hair loss, brittle nails or acne.

There is no doubt that stress impacts the mind and body, making stress management important for protecting your heart and health. Avoiding stress is unrealistic, so experts recommended changing your reaction. Negative stress contributes to poor health behaviors like smoking, stress-related eating and lack of exercise and sleep, which also greatly influence heart health.

Instead, try some of these stress management approaches suggested by the American Heart Association: disconnect from technology and social media, get outside and enjoy nature, get together with friends, meditate or practice yoga, journal or draw, volunteer, try a new recipe or activity, stick to a routine and get plenty of sleep.

Missy Corrigan is executive of community health for Sumter Family YMCA. She can be reached at mcorrigan@ymcasumter.org or (803) 773-1404.