Exercise and a healthy diet and weight are the cornerstones of lower blood pressure. But they are not the only factors that contribute to how your blood is moving through your veins.
Stress can play a notable role in blood pressure. High stress levels can boost blood pressure, and even active, healthy people can feel its impact. Finding ways to reduce stress may help reduce blood pressure and ease your heart and mind.
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Here are some ways to help limit the effects of stress on your life.
Pay Attention To Sleep: Not getting enough quality sleep (about eight uninterrupted hours each night) can negatively impact mood, alertness, energy, and illness risk. It can also bump up adrenaline and make you feel stressed. Finding ways to improve sleep could be the beginning of your stress-reducing journey.
Learn How To Relax: Some people don’t know how to relax. You could be one of them. If you are, it is worthwhile to try something like meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi.
Call Up Your Friends: Linking up with your friends, even virtually, can help ease your mind and reduce stress. If your friends and family are stressful people, consider joining an organization, taking a class, or participating in some group, like a cycling club.
Nurture Yourself: Getting a massage, taking a hot bath, relaxing with some music, mindfully eat a delicious meal, or whatever it is that takes you away and makes you feel lighter.
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Try To Resolve Stressful Situations When Possible: Try not to let stressful situations linger and fester. Address them through measured conversations. Work out problem-solving sessions to negotiate at home and work.
Work on Time Management: The more efficiently you can balance work and family life, the less stress you will feel. Practice scheduling by writing things down, dedicating time, and other techniques to help achieve greater balance.
Reducing stress can have an impact on your blood pressure and heart health. Along with an active lifestyle and healthy diet, stress reduction may help you achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
