How Heart Break can Hurt Your Actual Heart

A growing body of research is showing that the death or loss of a person close to you cannot only feel like heartbreak -  it can actually cause physical changes that can lead to serious heart problems.

Researchers have long studied a phenomenon called 'stress cardiomyopathy' ( or broken heart syndrome ), which is when a highly stressful event, such as the death of a spouse, causes a person to feel like they're having a heart attack. This can include shortness of breath and chest pain, but without the telltale blocked arteries. Experts suspect a surge of stress hormones that are trigged by an emotional event could be responsible. Sometimes, the condition is not spurred by grief, but other stressful situations, like the excitement that can accompany a big sports win.

We can not stop stressful situations from coming up in our lives but there may be ways to change the way stress affects our bodies. Several things can increase parasympathetic nervous system activity, which may include.

• Yoga

You can practice any of the different forms of yoga for stress relief. Try Hatha yoga, which combines stretching, breathing techniques and meditation. It soothes your distress mind, refreshes your thoughts, tones body muscles and generates new awareness like never before.

• Meditation

A few minutes of practice per day can ease anxiety. Research suggest that daily meditation may alter the brain's neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress. It is simple. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on reciting -- out loud or silently.

• Be Present

Take some time and focus on only one behavior with awareness, "Inam says. Notice how the air feels on your face when you are walking and how your feet feel hitting the ground. Enjoy the texture and taste of each bite of food.
Enjoy the peace of mind and tranquility in your daily life, without stress, worries, anxieties, and never ending thinking. When you spend the time in the moment and focus on your senses, you should feel less tense.

• Exercise

Exerting yourself physically releases endorphins that make you happy. That means that if you are stressed, you can cheer yourself up and throw your anxiety out the window just by making your heart work a bit harder. Head for a bike ride or swim, pick up some weights or play your favorite sport to gain both physical and mental health.