American Heart Association logoAmerican Heart Association

Stress Management

Join Healthy for Good and get tips to stress less.
Women feeling stress sitting in front of her laptop.

Manage Stress and Manage Your Health

Stress happens, especially these days. How you eat, move and manage stress impacts your well-being, physically and mentally. Reduce stress for a healthier version of you.

Questions and Answers: Tips to Stress Less

Can managing stress reduce or prevent heart disease?

Everyone feels and reacts to stress in different ways. How much stress you experience and how you react to it can lead to a wide variety of health problems.

Read more about stress, mental health and your heart

How can being more active help to reduce stress?

Everyone experiences stress at one time or another, and stress affects all of us in different ways. But this much is true for everyone: Regular exercise reduces the harmful effects of stress.

Learn how getting active can relieve stress

What are simple ways to find stress relief?

Getting out of our own heads and connecting with the world around us can be an effective stress-buster.

Learn how connection can reduce stress

Is stress really a problem?

Yes, especially if your “stressed out” feeling remains constant, or chronic. Chronic stress can affect your physical and mental health. It can weaken your immune system and cause physical symptoms too.

Learn more on stress management

The American Heart Association presents, “Notes to My Younger Self” in collaboration with Variety Content Studio.

Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko shares how she deals with anxiety and stress throughout her career and her personal life.

Karamo Brown

Karamo Brown reflects on how he’s managed stress throughout his life, on and off camera.

Melissa Fumero

Melissa Fumero discusses the importance of self-care, coping mechanisms, and the significance of seeking help when needed.

Amber Riley

Amber Riley looks back at pivotal stages in her life and how she learned to manage chronic stress throughout her career.

Josh Peck

Josh Peck opens up about his personal journey with mental health, stress, and the art of managing it all while being in the spotlight.

Alyssa Milano

Stress can come in all shapes and sizes. Hear how Alyssa Milano has learned to deal with it.

1 of 5

Deep Breathing: Benefits and Techniques

Your breathing directly affects your nervous and cardiovascular systems. Taking slow, deep breaths can trigger positive responses in your body, including:

  • Stabilizing or lowering blood pressure
  • Creating and maintaining a sense of calm
  • Lessening stress for improved mental health
  • Reducing anxiety and depression symptom
Note: If you have a medical condition related to your heart or lungs, you should consult with your health care professional before trying these breathing techniques.
Learn how

2 of 5

4-7-8 Breathing

Inhale through your notes for four counts, then hold that breath for seven counts. Then exhale through your mouth (slowly) for eight counts.

Note: If you are trying these deep breathing techniques for the first time, it’s not recommended to practice these approaches for more than three to five cycles at once. Stop any technique if you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Back Pursed-lip Breathing

3 of 5

Pursed-lip Breathing

Inhale, then exhale through your mouth with pursed lips at a rate two to four times slower than your inhale.

Note: If you are trying these deep breathing techniques for the first time, it’s not recommended to practice these approaches for more than three to five cycles at once. Stop any technique if you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Back Box Breathing

4 of 5

Box Breathing

Inhale through your nose for four counts, then hold your breath for four more. Next, exhale for four counts, then wait for four counts before inhaling and restarting the 4 x 4 x 4 x 4 sequence.

Note: If you are trying these deep breathing techniques for the first time, it’s not recommended to practice these approaches for more than three to five cycles at once. Stop any technique if you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Back Diaphragmatic Breathing

5 of 5

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Place both hands on your abdomen, then inhale deeply through your nose. Let your abdomen balloon out, and then exhale through your mouth.

Note: If you are trying these deep breathing techniques for the first time, it’s not recommended to practice these approaches for more than three to five cycles at once. Stop any technique if you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Download our easily shared one-pager on the surprising benefits of deep, controlled breathing. Get the Breathing Brings Benefits (PDF)

Back
Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise in living room at home
Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise in living room at home
Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise in living room at home
Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise in living room at home
Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise in living room at home

Videos to Help You Stress Less

Step away from distractions and to-do lists to meditate – do what you need to recharge
diverse group of friends outdoors

Feel Great by Doing Good

Yes, giving to the American Heart Association can help save lives from heart disease and stroke. It can also make you feel good - and may reduce your stress, too.
diverse group of friends outdoors

Stress Management Tip Sheets