Mindfulness and Positive Psychology Interventions Show Promise in Lowering Blood Pressure and Improving Heart Health
A recent study led by Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, indicates that simple practices such as mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and optimism training can significantly improve cardiovascular health markers within weeks. The research, which reviewed 18 randomized controlled trials, found that these positive psychology interventions were consistently associated with improvements in blood pressure, inflammation, and other heart disease risk factors. Specifically, mindfulness-based programs delivered over an eight-week period reduced systolic blood pressure and lowered inflammatory markers. A 12-week spirituality-based digital intervention achieved a substantial reduction in systolic blood pressure. The programs varied in delivery, including structured phone sessions, journaling with check-ins, digital tools, and in-person group meetings, typically lasting between six and 12 weeks. Participants were generally adults aged late 50s to mid-60s with el... 
