I’m sure you can relate. It’s easy for your mind to start racing once you’re alone with your thoughts. Sitting in a comfortable, quiet space can get uncomfortable and loud inside your head. It can serve as a perfect platform for overthinking, which can boost stress.
Too much stress is no good for your heart, especially if you’re feeling it all day, every day.
Stress can boost heart disease risk by setting off a chain of events that can have some dangerous effects.
Your body releases adrenaline when you feel stressed. It increases your heart rate and breathing and boosts blood pressure. When it continues, it strains the heart.
There are also indirect effects. Stress may lead you to engage in behavior that boosts the risk of heart disease. It may lead to bad food choices that can boost cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also zap your energy and limit your physical activity.
So, if mindfulness meditation doesn’t work for you, try keeping your hands busy. Sitting down with some knitting, woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, or cooking can all help take your mind off stress and offer something enjoyable to think about.
Sometimes just the repetitive motion of knitting is enough to reduce stress and take your mind off any troubles.
If you’re struggling with stress, particularly during this unique holiday season, it might not be a good idea to sit quietly in meditation. Instead, try putting your hands to work to ease the burden on your heart and mind.