5 Tips to Stopping High Blood Pressure
1. Salt. Sodium is horrible on your body and your blood pressure in large amounts. Most all frozen dinners and fast foods contain levels of sodium that are far and above any recommended levels. If you doubt what I’m saying just take a look at the labels. These high levels of sodium that we put in our bodies throughout the day are one of the biggest contributors to getting high blood pressure. The best thing you can do is to be aware of what you are eating and cut back on your sodium intake. It’s not difficult at all when you know what to look out for.
2. Smoking. This is one that I’m sure most everyone already knows. Just by quitting smoking you can quickly reduce high blood pressure. Doctors will tell you that they have had many patients lower there blood pressure to a normal level just by getting rid of the cigarettes. Nothing good can ever come out of smoking, and your health is certainly at the top of the list.
3. Alcohol. Here is one that may not be what many people want to hear, but it is true nonetheless. Alcohol is big contributor to high blood pressure. If you are a heavy drinker then you are most likely to suffer from high blood pressure. Reduce your level of drinking to an occasional drink. You don’t have to stop entirely; you can simply drink in moderation. A glass of wine at dinner is fine.
4. Stress. This is another big factor, and one that can be difficult to control. We experience stress throughout our day. It’s how we react and handle it that is the biggest factor in high blood pressure. Being in a constant state of worry or anxiety is not helping your body. I’ve seen people get their blood boiling over the simplest of things. Be aware of your emotions and take the steps to reduce anxiety. How? There are many relaxation techniques available to you. In fact, entire books have been written on this. Listen to soft music; meditation, prayer, and exercise are all great methods in reducing stress. If you find yourself in a stressful confrontation at home or work, walk away for a few minutes. If you will be conscious of putting yourself under too much stress, you’ll notice a reduction in your blood pressure.
5. Diet and exercise. This is quite possibly the biggest reason for high blood pressure and one that is totally in your control. Obesity is a proven cause of high blood pressure, along with many other health related problems. When you think about it, it makes sense. The more weight your body has to carry, the harder your heart has to work to keep your blood flowing. Therefore, a good diet and maintaining a proper weight is vital in staying healthy.
Along with eating right comes exercise. The two really go hand in hand. Exercise is important to your body. It not only makes you feel better overall and keep you healthy, but it reduces your anxiety level. It also strengthens your heart and causes it to work a lot less. This goes a long way in reducing blood pressure levels. You don’t have to be a gym rat in order to get the right amount of exercise either. Simply going for a brisk walk 3 times a week for 30 minutes will help tremendously. Ride a bike, take a swim or play a recreational sport. The important thing is to get up and get active.
As you can see there are a lot of things you can do to maintain a proper blood pressure. It’s not that difficult. I would encourage you to talk to your doctor and get your blood pressure checked. Don’t let high blood pressure ruin the quality of your life.
