24 Oct Stress Effects and Remedies
There’s no doubt, today’s world is stressful! Many stressors, while not actually CAUSING high blood pressure, do drive hormones in our body which cause an increase in our blood pressure.
One in three American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension), and just as many battle emotional and mental stress on a day-to-day basis.
Is stress and high blood pressure related? You bet!
Our stress levels are out of control and wreaking havoc on our health and relationships! But, we don’t need to be victims of our environment.
The Importance of Mindfulness
Sometimes things stress us out and we don’t even realize it. We might have that vague, aggravated feeling and the tightness of a stress headache and general feelings of anger. But the act of slowing down, and being mindful of our state is 50% of conquering it!
In this YouTube video by Dr. Kennedy (please watch!) you’ll learn about the 15-minute heart cure which teaches you how mindfulness, relaxation, meditation and deep breathing can calm down those stress hormones, bringing peace and lowering your blood pressure! These exercises can be done anywhere, anytime. You can protect your health by teaching your body to slow down and relax when stress hits; essentially short-circuiting your physical stress reaction.
Take Time for Yourself
Don’t underestimate self-care when dealing with high blood pressure, as it often leads to other life-threatening diseases. Learn about things you can use to enhance your relaxation and assist you in getting a good night’s sleep, which can help lower your blood pressure.
To help you get a better night’s sleep, consider turning your cell phone OFF; and make sure your room is 100% darkened so that your melatonin kicks in.
You can also try this: Draw a warm (not hot) bath, adding 1 cup of Epsom salts. Add 8 drops of lavender essential oil and swish in a figure 8 motion to mix in. Relax for 20 minutes in a darkened room with a candle and some soft soothing music. Do this 3-5 times per week; make it a ritual of caring for yourself.
Tips for Stress Reduction
- Identify what’s causing you to feel stressed.
- Avoid hassles and minor irritations if possible. If traffic jams stress you out, try taking a different route, going by train or bus, or carpooling.
- When you experience a change in your life, try to continue doing the things that you enjoyed before the change occurred.
- Learn how to manage your time effectively but be realistic and flexible when you plan your schedule.
- Do one thing at a time; concentrate on each task as it comes.
- Take a break when stressful situations combine to an uncontrollable level.
- Ask for help if you feel that you are unable to deal with stress on your own.
Make yourself and stress reduction a priority…you’ll be so glad you did!
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