Working from Home: How to Manage Stress to Support Heart and Cardiovascular Health

8th December 2022

Heart and cardiovascular health are related to the health of the heart and its functioning. Cardiovascular health is the overall condition of the heart and blood vessels, including the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. The main cause of heart and cardiovascular health problems is a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries. This buildup can lead to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, which restricts blood flow throughout the body. Other causes of heart and cardiovascular health problems include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity.

According to health experts at Click Pharmacy, certain lifestyle changes can help improve heart and cardiovascular health, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.

 

How to improve your health while working from home?

Working from home is becoming increasingly common in today’s day and age, and managing stress is essential for maintaining heart and cardiovascular health. The stress of working from home can lead to an increased risk of developing heart and cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary artery disease. This can have long-term consequences if left unmanaged.

Fortunately, there are strategies that can help reduce stress levels while working from home:

  1. Establish a regular sleep schedule and maintain good sleep hygiene: Getting enough rest is important for reducing stress levels. Establishing a regular sleep schedule and practising good sleep hygiene can help ensure that you are getting the rest you need to stay productive and healthy.

 

  1. Take regular breaks from sitting or working at your desk. Working from home can be overwhelming, so taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress levels. Take a walk or do some stretching to get your blood flowing. Electric standing desk and sit-stand desks can also help by encouraging you to move around to reduce stress. By changing your posture every now and then by standing and sitting you can help reduce stress.

 

  1. Get plenty of exercise and stay active: Get plenty of exercise and stay active. Exercise can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost your mood. Take regular breaks throughout the day to step away from work and recharge. Make sure to give yourself a full break for lunch and other meals.

 

  1. Eat a nutritious, balanced diet that focuses on fruits and vegetables: Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is one of the best ways to reduce stress while working from home. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables will help to provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy and energised. Additionally, eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help to prevent spikes in stress hormones.
  2. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day: Staying hydrated can help to reduce stress and tension and improve focus and concentration. Staying hydrated can also help to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety and stress, such as headaches and fatigue.

 

  1. Set boundaries between work and home life: It can be difficult to find a balance between work and home life when working from home, so try to establish a routine and set boundaries to ensure that work tasks don’t interfere with personal life.

 

  1. Limit distractions: It can be easy to get distracted when working from home, so try to limit distractions by turning off notifications, setting specific times for checking emails, and arranging for a quiet workspace.

 

  1. Prioritise tasks: Making a list of tasks and prioritising them can help reduce stress and make it easier to manage workloads. It is important to assess each task in terms of importance, urgency and impact on other tasks or objectives. This will enable a person to focus on the most important tasks while delegating or deferring those that are less important or can be completed at a later date. Prioritising tasks can help a person to stay focused and motivated, and can help to prevent procrastination.

 

  1. Stay organised: A cluttered workspace can add to stress levels, so try to stay organised by creating a filing system, clearing up clutter, and keeping things in their place.

 

  1. Stay connected: Working from home can be isolating, so make sure to stay connected with colleagues and family members to help prevent feelings of loneliness and stress.

– Schedule regular video calls with colleagues to catch up on work and socialise

– Connect with family and friends through video calls or messages to stay in touch

– Join virtual events or activities to help build relationships with others and stay connected to your community

– Take regular breaks throughout the day to give yourself a mental break from work – Set boundaries between your work and home life to help reduce stress

– Take time to do something you enjoy, such as reading, drawing, or playing a game

 

By taking the time to practise these strategies, you can reduce your stress levels while working from home and improve your heart and cardiovascular health in the long run.