stress can
stalk like a
shadow

You finally get home after a long, exhausting day. You sink into your couch, hoping to unwind, but instead of relaxation, a familiar tension creeps in. Your mind replays work stress, financial worries, a never-ending to-do list. Your heart beats a little faster, your chest feels tight, and suddenly, you realize—stress never really leaves. It follows you like a shadow, lingering in the background, never letting you unwind or forget its presence. This “stress shadow” isn’t just in your head. Chronic stress takes a serious toll on your health, especially your heart. Over time, the constant release of stress hormones can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation, and even heart disease. But the good news? There are ways to break free from its grip!

The Stalking Shadow

When you experience stress, your body responds by releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body for a “fight or flight” response, leading to increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. While this response is helpful in short bursts, chronic activation wears down your cardiovascular system. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels has been linked to increased cholesterol, high blood sugar, and inflammation—all of which raise the risk of heart disease (Yale Medicine, 2020).
Moreover, stress fuels inflammation, which plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis—the dangerous buildup of plaques in your arteries. Over time, this can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).

Beyond the direct physiological effects, stress can also push you toward unhealthy habits. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to reach for comfort food, skip workouts, lose sleep, or rely on alcohol and smoking to cope. Unfortunately, these behaviors only increase the strain on your heart, creating a vicious cycle (Salleh, 2008).

Shake the Stress Shadow


Finding better coping mechanisms for stress serves as an answer to these aforementioned issues. Innovation Wellness offers numerous modalities for stress relief, like mindful breathing sessions and compression therapy. In the spirit of heart health month, we highlight one modality that boosts cardiovascular health while releasing uplifting endorphins: our infrared sauna.

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas use light to heat your body from the inside out, promoting relaxation and helping regulate cortisol levels (Zuo et al., 2020).

Regular sessions in an infrared sauna can:
✔️ Lower stress hormones, helping you feel calm and centered
✔️ Improve circulation and reduce blood pressure
✔️ Promote deep muscle relaxation and ease tension
✔️ Support detoxification, leaving you feeling refreshed

At our facility, our full-spectrum infrared sauna is designed to help you unwind and reset. Plus, with acoustical resonance therapy—using sound and vibration to enhance relaxation—you’ll experience the ultimate stress relief session.

Chronic stress doesn’t have to control your life or damage your health. By taking proactive steps to relax and unwind, you can break free from your “stress shadow” and protect your heart for the long run.

To a Healthy Heart!
– Your Friends at Innovation Wellness

References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Risk factors for heart disease: Don’t underestimate stress. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/risk-factors-for-heart-disease-dont-underestimate-stress

Salleh, M. R. (2008). Life event, stress and illness. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 15(4), 9-18. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3341916/

Yale Medicine. (2020). How stress affects your heart. Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/stress-affects-your-heart
Zuo, L., Tinsley, G. M., Wu, A., & Pannell, B. K. (2020). Environmental stressors and cardiopulmonary health. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 7717. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7603890/