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You’ve heard it before. Maybe a doctor said it, or a family member, or a friend: “Try not to worry.”
But sometimes, it can feel impossible not to worry. First-person accounts of natural disasters, global tragedies, and more are always just a click away.
The things we see on social media can make us feel upset, stressed, or anxious. But Ravi Jandhyala, MD, a cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, warns that too much bad news can be harmful for your heart’s health.
Stress and the heart
Scrolling through endless bad news is known as “doomscrolling.” It’s linked with higher levels of stress and reduced well-being. Feeling stress is normal, and you can’t always avoid it. But too much negative stress is harmful, not only to mental health, but also to your body.
“Studies show that stress and reduced psychological health, as well as mental health, are associated with a rise in heart disease and stroke,” said Dr. Jandhyala.
There may be a few different reasons why stress affects your heart. First, stress releases hormones like cortisol. When cortisol levels are too high for long periods, it can lead to increased blood pressure and cause low-grade inflammation in the body, which can raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Stress can also lead to unhealthy habits that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, such as:
- Smoking
- Eating too much food (including junk food)
- Skipping exercise
- Gaining weight
- Not taking prescribed medications
- Not sleeping well
Tips to manage stress
“Reducing and managing stress in your life is good for your health and well-being, and it can lower your chances of being diagnosed with heart disease,” said Dr. Jandhyala.
He recommends following these tips to reduce stress:
- Get regular physical activity on most days of the week.
- Practice relaxing with deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi.
- Set aside time for healthy hobbies, such as reading, listening to music, or going for a walk
- Spend time with loved ones.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night.
- Limit your time on social media, especially for apps that you use to doomscroll.
Check out our mental health support tools
Kaiser Permanente offers useful information to support you in managing stress. Explore our care options to help improve your mental health and well-being and your heart health, too.