The psychosomatic connection to blood pressure
- Julia Martinez
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mood, it can also impact your physical health, including your blood pressure. When you’re under stress, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which temporarily increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels. Over time, this can contribute to hypertension and other cardiovascular issues.
Blood pressure has previously been viewed purely as a physical issue. However, more specialists are now researching how psychological factors, particularly stress, anxiety, and suppressed emotions, can influence blood pressure levels.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Often linked to chronic stress, unresolved anger, or internalised pressure. People who constantly feel the need to be in control, suppress emotions, or live with persistent anxiety may experience prolonged tension in the nervous system, leading to elevated blood pressure.
• Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Can be associated with emotional exhaustion, deep-seated fear, or feelings of helplessness. Some individuals with low BP may struggle with avoidance, dissociation, or lack of motivation, as if their body is responding with a state of emotional withdrawal.
How can people help themselves using the Mind-Body approach to regulation:
• Emotional Awareness: Identifying and expressing emotions (instead of suppressing them) helps release internal pressure.
• Stress Reduction: Mindfulness, therapy, and relaxation techniques can calm the nervous system.
• Lifestyle Balance: A balance between achievement and rest prevents mental and emotional strain from manifesting physically.
• Self-Reflection: Understanding the deeper emotional patterns behind bodily symptoms supports healing.
Blood pressure isn’t just about physical health, it is a reflection of emotional and psychological states. Learning to regulate both the mind and body will contribute to long-term well-being.
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