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In today’s hectic world, where deadlines loom, schedules overflow and demands never seem to end, taking care of your heart health is often pushed to the back burner.
Amidst the stress of daily life, finding moments of calm and balance are important. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, offer a holistic approach to wellness, benefiting mental health and impacting your heart health.
“The mind-body connection refers to the relationship between our mental and physical states,” said I-Hui Ann Chiang, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Banner – University Medicine. “It acknowledges that our thoughts, emotions and beliefs influence our physical health, and vice versa.”
When we experience stress, anxiety or negative emotions, our bodies respond with physiological changes that can impact cardiovascular health. Taking time to cultivate mindfulness and connection with your body is a valuable investment in your long-term health and happiness.
Learn how integrating these exercises into daily life can improve your heart health and well-being.
Mind-body exercises are any type of movement that combines mental focus and controlled breathing to improve strength, flexibility and balance. “These exercises, which include yoga, tai chi or qigong and meditation, foster harmony between the mind and body,” Dr. Chiang said.
Yoga: Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation. It enhances flexibility, strength and balance while fostering relaxation and stress reduction.
Tai chi and qigong: These ancient Chinese practices involve slow, flowing movements, deep breathing and meditation – often described as meditation in motion. Tai chi and qigong improve balance, flexibility and mental clarity.
Meditation: Meditation involves training the mind to achieve a heightened state of awareness and inner peace. Practices may include focused attention (such as mindfulness meditation) or open monitoring (such as loving-kindness meditation).
Your heart and mind are closely connected. Mind-body exercise can boost your heart health. Here’s how:
Aside from helping your heart, these exercises offer other awesome benefits, including:
Incorporating mind-body exercises into your daily routine can be a powerful strategy for promoting heart health and overall well-being. Here are some tips for getting started:
While mind-body exercises offer numerous benefits for heart health, it’s important to approach these practices cautiously if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Before beginning any exercise program, talk to your health care provider or a cardiologist. They can provide personalized guidance and recommendations based on your specific health status and medical history.
Mind-body exercises offer many benefits for heart health, from reducing stress to lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Integrating these practices into your life can nurture your physical and mental well-being, paving the way for a healthier heart and a more balanced life.
Whether it’s tai chi, yoga or meditation, embrace the harmony of mind and body and let it be the foundation of your journey to a healthier heart.
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