Many people often dread a doctor visit, mostly in fear that they might have something physically wrong with them.
Among any sickness out there, high blood pressure is perhaps the most feared, probably because it’s the most common.
According to www.seniorhealth.about.com, untreated high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, stroke and even death.
In today’s world, there technically is no such method or medicine that will instantly and immediately lower your blood pressure. However, in less than one month, one can make simple changes that can drastically improve their current physical health, for life.
First, you must try to reduce, limit, and get rid of completely, any current habits that are harmful to your health, such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. Obviously these sort of daily routines are hard to break, but any little restriction you can put on yourself successfully is a start.
According to www.med-help.net, nicotine cravings may be reduced by having a small quantity of sunflower seeds each day, while there are organizations that can help assist you in quitting, such as The American Lung Association.
As far as alcohol, simply making sure your liquor cabinet is barely full can have a huge impact.
Secondly, one must attempt to exercise daily, at least 20 minutes a day. Even the smallest amount of weight loss can lower blood pressure dramatically.
For those who currently do not include any physical activity in their daily life, this may seem a stretch. However, even simple household and outdoor chores can make a difference, such as washing your car, raking leaves, gardening, washing windows, shoveling snow or pushing a stroller.
If you work in a building of some sort, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk or bike to the corner store to get groceries instead of driving. After dinner, make it a routine to walk around the block “x” amount of times. Every little bit helps.
If you are not one for doing cardio, try out yoga or pilates. According to www.blood-pressure-updates.com, breathing and meditation may be the best way to help lower your blood pressure immediately.
Mastering breathing exercises, present in yoga or pilates, can help you manage stress reactions like muscle tension that occurs in the stomach, chest, shoulders and face.
Yoga itself naturally relaxes your mind and body, while supplying more oxygen to your bloodstream by strengthening your respiratory muscles.
Lastly, pay more attention to what you put in your body.
Read nutrition labels. Try and limit the intake of sodium. Try to restrict take-out and fast food. If this cannot be avoided, go out of the way to ask how the restaurant makes their food.
Get baked or steamed items over fried, and if an option, request your meal be made with the least amount of sodium as possible. Try and avoid fast-food chains that do not provide nutrition facts with their items. Even the ones that do will surprise you in how much calories and fat can come in one little sandwich. Try Subway or Quiznos for a reasonable meal without all the fat.
If needed, your doctor may prescribe you certain medications to assist in lowering your blood pressure.
Overall, it takes simple steps in your diet and exercise routine that will lead to a lower blood pressure and a healthier life. Hopefully in time, science can produce a more effective cure or treatment that will instantaneously lower blood pressure and keep it at a normal rate, for life.
