Manage chronic stress through social connection and relaxation

Combat chronic stress through social meals with family and friends, meditation, deep breathing, and community engagement. Prioritize reducing social isolation, which is now recognized as a major independent CVD risk factor.

Why It Works

Social isolation increases CVD risk by 16% (meta-analysis). The mortality odds ratio from loneliness is 1.50 - comparable to light smoking and greater than obesity or hypertension alone. Loneliness drives chronic inflammation via cortisol elevation, autonomic nervous system disruption, and immune dysfunction. Nations with strong social dining culture (Japan, Korea, Mediterranean countries) derive heart protection partly through reduced isolation.

Tips

• Shared meals serve double duty: better food choices and reduced social isolation
• Chronic stress drives unhealthy coping (smoking, alcohol, overeating) that compound CVD risk
• Even brief daily relaxation practices (10 minutes) activate the parasympathetic nervous system