Stress and parenthood go hand-in-hand. That is why maintaining choices to alleviate stress is essential.
Sure, you can lock yourself in a bathroom until the kids decide to stop screaming, but do you really want to come back out to the entire bag of sugar dumped onto the kitchen floor?
Let’s explore methods to keep your blood pressure in check that require a little less clean-up and a lot more zen.
Weight, diet, age and lifestyle are all factors that effect hypertension (high blood pressure), but stress is undoubtedly a key influencer.
The American Heart Association calls hypertension the “silent killer” because there are often no signs or symptoms one may be suffering from until it’s too late.
“Hypertension is a leading risk factor for death and disability worldwide,” says Dr. Paul Whelton, according to News In Health.
Whelton, an expert in hypertension and kidney disease at Tulane University, warns, “High blood pressure raises the risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or kidney disease.”
Take note that all suggestions in this article are not a replacement for professional medical advice, and all changes in one’s lifestyle should be under the supervision of their doctor.
So without further delay, let’s look at some easy and fun steps we can take to rid our life of stress, and by doing so reduce blood pressure.
1. Learn to relax
A great way to relax is to meditate, as Mommy Underground has previously reported.
Research says mediation helps reduce stress by allowing you to be in the moment, forgetting the busy schedules and heavy work loads.
Another way to take the edge off is to engage in physical activity, like going for a walk around the neighborhood or letting your children take turns playing airplane.
Take the time to slow down and relax, giving yourself a moment to breathe and take in all the blessings of life.
2. Strengthen social ties
Friends give us an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and a person to confide in.
Human connection is an innate desire in all of us and when we invest in it, it reduces the stress of facing the world solo.
Harvard Health suggests “taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group” to strengthen your social network.
3. Pamper yourself
Everyone feels better after spending some time on themselves.
Whether it is a nice long bath with a glass of wine or a pedicure afternoon, we all have something that makes life stressors feel a little more manageable.
It is an old adage, but repeated often for good reason, “you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.”
And if you feel guilty for showing yourself a little extra TLC, just remember it is all in the name of health.
4. Access support
In this day and age people are left to feel inadequate or weak if they ask for help.
However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
There is a strength in knowing your limits and enlisting the support of others when things get too tough.
Carrying a mental load alone often causes physical ailments, and high blood pressure from stress is one of them,
Ask a neighbor, friend, family member, or spouse for help when you need it – and we all need it at some point!
Spending quality time with the people we care about most is a great way to help get hypertension under control.
Don’t let hypertension silently destroy your body, begin using these methods of stress relief today.
At the very least you can gain more peace and structure in your life while learning what techniques suit your lifestyle the best.