How Anger Affects Your Heart and Blood Vessels

Hello friends,

I don't lose my temper much.

But I used to get worked up over things more in the past.

Especially over little things and things not in my control (Stuck in traffic, for instance?)

Well… According to a recent study, brief episodes of anger lead to changes in our blood vessels that increase the risk of heart disease.

This isn't just about feeling grumpy; we're talking about how emotions can affect our physical health.

Maybe it’s time to let go of that road rage.

Let’s start.

This week in building health 👇

Why is the Experiment Interesting?

In this study, scientists assigned 280 participants to complete four tasks designed to evoke distinct emotions.

They were either going to:

• Recall an event that made you angry

• Remember an anxious moment

• Read a sad and depressing story

• Simply count numbers

The researchers assessed the participants' blood vessels before, during, and after the tasks.

Guess what?

The participants who felt anger had impaired blood vessel function for up to 40 minutes after the experiment, while other emotions did not.

I find this fascinating because it is YET ANOTHER reminder of the link between emotions and health.

We always minimize the impact of anger or stress when it comes to our physical health. We might think, "I'll deal with my emotions later; I have more urgent issues."

But this study shows that brief anger episodes can immediately harm our blood vessels.

It underscores the importance of managing our emotional well-being for our mental and physical health.

It’s not just exercise and diet. It’s stress and anger. It’s your emotions.

Health is everything.

Breaking Down the Mind vs Body Myth

I share articles like this a lot because I see people separate mind and body all the time.

How you treat your body affects your mind. Lack of sleep, poor diet, or a sedentary lifestyle directly affects your brain health.

Poor physical health habits are linked to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety and can contribute to cognitive decline and dementia as you age.

In the other direction, chronic stress and anger affect your mental state and physical health at a cellular level.

Stress hormones like cortisol can cause inflammation, increasing the risk for health problems.

Accepting the link between mind and body is an important step in taking true care for your health.

→ Read more on this here

My favorite health things for the week

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11 High-Fiber Foods to Add to Your Diet

8 minutes | Leslie Barrie

There’s a good chance you need more fiber.

Most people these days overlook it and don’t get enough.

Here’s a quick list of 11 high-fiber foods that enhance digestive health, manage weight, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. They’re common enough that you’ll probably be cool to add something on this list.

Personally, I start my day with a bowl of oatmeal topped with chia seeds – a simple, nutritious breakfast that keeps me full and energized.

→ Read more on this here

// two

3 Metabolism-Boosting Tips

6 minutes | Jason Wachob

In a nutshell, metabolism is all about how your body uses energy.

The tips here are simple, but grounded in good science and biology.

1. Have protein and fiber for breakfast

2. Move a bit after you eat.

3. Make sure to manage your stress.

These things affect how your body starts looking for carbs and energy.

→ Read More About it Here

// three

Alzheimer’s Prevention Check

6 minutes | Food for the Brain Foundation

This one is a quick lifestyle quiz that will check if you’re doing enough to take care of your brain health.

You’ll need to leave your email, and that’s where they send the results.

And if you don’t want their updates just unsubscribe right after. But it’s a quick quiz to check if you’re leaving some easy interventions on the table.

→ Read More About it Here

Until next time

Thanks as always for reading.

Have a Healthy Weekend