MEDITATE FOR LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

As a major risk factor for heart disease, stress is extremely detrimental to your health, and it’s something busy Londoners are probably all too familiar with. People often turn to substances including alcohol and cigarettes to help combat stress, which may relax you momentarily, but in the long run these coping mechanisms are harmful to your heart. One of the best ways to combat stress and lower blood pressure naturally is through meditation. Vedic meditation guru Will Williams (pictured above) has released a new app to help you keep track of your practice on the go – no matter how busy you are. The Meditation Timer app allows you to set a customisable timer for your own personal meditation. And we love the stats section! It’s free to download on iOS and Android devices.
Visit willwilliamsmeditation.co.uk for more information

A HOT, SWEATY, LOVELY MESS

Love Changes Everything, sang Michael Ball. Well, yes, it changes your body at least. Given physical intimacy lowers blood pressure, and releases the hormone adrenaline, and neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which make your heart rate stronger, then you’d do well to check out a new love-themed class at Gymbox Farringdon (gymbox.com). Pheromone Improvement Training (PIT) has been designed with love in mind. You release just the right amount of sweat to attract a partner. The key pheromone released is androstenone, meaning perfume, deodorant and aftershave are banned following the class. Participants are told to go straight to a bar afterwards.

BAND WITH A STRONGER BEAT

Fitness trackers have proven incredibly popular. One 2016 report found that they were the fastest-growing product in the running sector. The vívosmart HR (£139.99, garmin.com) goes further than logging steps, it tracks your heart rate, shows calories burned, plus the intensity of activity, for better readings.

SUPERFOOD

Chocolate is certainly the way to our hearts, but it’s also packed full of heart-healing goodness. Dark chocolate made up of at least 60-70% cacao contains flavonoids which help lower blood pressure and avoid clotting. Get your fix with PANA CHOCOLATE (from £3.90, panachocolate.com/uk).

NEWS FLASH

TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM
Strength training is often overlooked in exercise, and yet this is where the true changes lie. Include two days of purely strength-based and resistance training into your workout schedule to build lean muscle and boost energy levels. F45 Training (f45training.co.uk) holds technology-focused team training classes that target your cardiovascular system. A heart rate monitor will show how hard you’re working. Try seven days for just £7.

INSIDE TRACK

Those with heart disease would do better to exercise indoors to reduce their exposure to air pollution.

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