If you’re working on managing and lowering high cholesterol, you may already be watching your diet and getting more exercise. But there’s one factor many people overlook is stress.
Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mood or energy; it could be sneakily influencing your heart health and cholesterol numbers, too.
Let’s explore how stress impacts your body and what you can do to take back control.
The Link Between Stress and Cholesterol
When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While these are helpful in short bursts, constant exposure can disrupt many systems including your metabolism and triglyceride levels. Over time, this can lead to higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol.
Chronic stress could be working against your efforts toward managing and lowering high cholesterol.
Signs to Watch Out For
While high cholesterol symptoms aren’t always obvious, stress-related habits can add up:
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Emotional eating or sugar cravings
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Skipping workouts due to burnout
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Poor sleep quality
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Increased alcohol or caffeine consumption
These behaviours can make your cholesterol numbers climb without you realising it.
How Does High Cholesterol Make You Feel?
You might not “feel” anything in the early stages. But over time, you could experience:
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Fatigue or sluggishness
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Shortness of breath
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Chest discomfort after activity
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Dizziness or mental fog
If you’re wondering how high cholesterol makes you feel, the answer may vary. But it’s often subtle, until it’s not.
Healthy Ways to Lower Stress (and Cholesterol)
The good news? The steps that reduce stress often help with how to lower cholesterol levels, too.
Try These Simple Habits:
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Deep breathing or meditation for 5–10 minutes daily
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Daily walks in nature or around your block
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Laughter therapy – yes, really! Find something that makes you laugh
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Creative hobbies like journaling, painting, or dancing
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Digital detoxes – even 30 minutes away from screens can reset your mood
Little by little, these habits support your heart and help in managing and lowering high cholesterol naturally.
Foods That Help (and Hurt)
Your food choices can either calm or worsen stress, and your cholesterol.
Foods That Help:
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Oats, barley, and lentils
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Leafy greens and colourful veggies
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Fatty fish like salmon or sardines
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Avocados and olive oil
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Nuts and seeds (especially walnuts and flaxseeds)
Foods to Limit:
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Processed snacks
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Fried or fast foods
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Sugary desserts
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Full-fat dairy
Eating with intention supports both emotional well-being and high cholesterol treatment efforts.
Should You Consider Supplements?
While whole foods come first, some supplements to lower cholesterol may offer added support:
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Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil or flaxseed)
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Plant sterols and stanols
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Soluble fiber supplements like psyllium husk
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Red yeast rice (check with a professional before use)
Combined with stress management, these can be part of a well-rounded plan for managing and lowering high cholesterol.
When to Get Tested
If you’re over 35, a routine cholesterol test is a smart move, especially if you’ve been under chronic stress. Testing includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. This can give you a clearer picture of what’s going on inside, even if you’re feeling “fine.”
Let’s Keep It Simple
Managing your health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When it comes to managing and lowering high cholesterol, the key is understanding the hidden contributors like stress and making small, consistent changes.
The next time life feels hectic, pause and ask: Is this helping or hurting my health? Just a few minutes of calm could make a long-term difference in managing and lowering high cholesterol and feeling your best every day.
Want to learn more about the connection between stress and cholesterol? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below, let’s start the conversation and make heart health simpler, together!
