Top 5 Heart-Healthy Exercises for Stress Relief in 2025

Is exercise beneficial for your heart? The short answer is yes because when you exercise it reduces your blood pressure, heart rate, bad cholesterol levels, etc. factors that can help you maintain your heart health. You just need to add these exercises to your daily routine. Learn the 5 best heart-healthy exercises that also relieve stress as well. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.

 

What does exercising do to the heart?

Exercise has many benefits for your heart health. A regular exercise routine can help you:

  • Reducing blood pressure.
  • Lower the risk of diabetes.
  • Maintain healthy body weight.
  • Lower inflammation throughout the body.

Experts believe that exercise can also reduce many risk factors of heart disease which include:

  • Improves muscle’s ability to pull oxygen from blood which relaxes the heart muscles to pump more blood.
  • It reduces stress hormones that put a strain on your heart.
  • It also lowers your heart rate and blood pressure.
  • It increases good (HDL) cholesterol levels and reduces bad (triglycerides) levels.

Many studies also show that people who regularly exercise are less likely to have a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event.

While exercise is greatly beneficial for the heart, to get the best results for heart health you need to combine it with a healthy diet. Exercise alone does not help you maintain good heart health.

5 exercises for a healthy heart and stress relief

Here are some exercises that are not only good for your heart but also relieve stress as well. It includes:

  1. Deep breathing exercises:

Relaxation and deep breathing are both good for the mind and body. It helps you get more oxygen from the environment into the body, and it decreases the levels of cortisol (stress hormone) in your body which also lowers your blood pressure temporarily.

Take a deep breath from your mouth until you start feeling full of air in your stomach and then release all the air through your mouth. You can do it anywhere whenever you feel stressed.

  1. Walking:

Walking is the simple and best outdoor exercise to release stress and when your cortisol drops it also lowers your blood pressure. Go out in nature, pay attention to the world around you, enjoy the cool breeze, touch flowers and leaves, and just relax your mind and body.

Try to avoid your phones and screens and enjoy your walk calmly. You can increase your distance over time when you feel comfortable.

  1. Yoga:

This exercise helps you focus on your thoughts, calm your mind, strengthen your body, and make you feel relaxed. It is an excellent choice for both your heart and for relieving stress because it lowers your blood pressure and cortisol levels and reduces the risk of developing heart disease. Practicing yoga for 30 minutes a day will improve your heart health and mood throughout the day.

  1. Stretching exercises:

Stretching exercises are good for your mind and health. It improves your blood flow through muscles and relaxes your mind. This lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. It also increases your flexibility and balance. Here are some stretching exercises you can do in the morning and evening in a day:

  • Child’s pose.
  • Seated spinal twist
  • Chest opener stretch
  • Neck rotational stretch
  • Heel-to-toe walk

 

  1. Pilates:

Pilates exercises are another best option to relax your mind and body. It is designed to improve mental functions by focusing on breathing techniques and mindful thinking which reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration, and also improve sleeping habits.

The research found that Pilates improves heart health by improving respiration, decreasing overall stress, and improving metabolic function. It helps you maintain your independence, strength, and optimum health as you age. So, practice Pilates each day to relax your mind and body.

 

These heart-healthy exercises not only improve your heart health but also improve your mental health by relieving your stress and anxiety. Apply these exercises in your daily routine and see improvement in your heart health for a better life.

 

If you experience chronic stress or any heart problem signs, come to our cardiology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional help. Call us for further inquiries. The Cardiologists at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Heart Specialist Brooklyn are able to greatly improve their patient’s health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. You can reach us at (347) 868-1012 or (347) 384-5690 to schedule a consultation.