The positive emotions felt on a daily basis could allow us to stay healthy, and improve our heart health. People at high risk of cardiovascular diseases should develop positive energies and feelings and work to evacuate stress and anxiety, risk factors for mental, chronic and cardiac diseases.
Researchers from Penn State (United States) followed more than 1,000 patients with coronary heart disease and assessed their psychological well-being at the start and at the end of the study.
The participants had to answer questionnaires to specify their eating habits, their physical activity, the quality of their sleep, as well as their consumption of alcohol and tobacco. They also had to self-evaluate their positive emotions such as interest, pride, enthusiasm or even inspiration.
The results of this study have revealed that well-being and heart health are linked. Indeed, Nancy Sin, a student at Penn State and author of the study, noticed an association between positive emotions and good health habits, the practice of physical activity, recognized as major factors in reducing heart risk.
This virtuous circle seems to last over the long term and reduce the risk of heart disease. Indeed, the increase in positive emotions over the follow-up period is associated with improvements in the practice of physical activity, the quality of sleep and in compliance with treatment, and therefore on heart health.
“Well-being and a positive spirit promote motivation and persistence in adhering to healthy behaviors. Having more confidence in your abilities allows you to maintain beneficial routines, such as regular physical activity and good sleep hygiene. Finally, positive emotions also allow better adjustment of health goals and a more proactive response to stress,” concludes the author of the study, to explain the benefits of positive emotions on heart health.
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