Avoid Stress to Keep BP Down

This is an article lifted from Harvard Medical School Newsletter HealthBeat. The article was published on July 09, 2015 with the title: 7 ways to keep stress – and blood pressure – down.

Is there a link between stress and high blood pressure? Researchers are not really sure about it. The two: stress and blood pressure may not be linked. However, stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to spike up temporarily. Stressful situation can result to surge in hormones that can cause the heart to beat faster and make the blood vessels narrow. The question now lies on whether temporary spiking up of blood pressure can result to a chronic or long-term increase in blood pressure. This is what researchers are not sure about.

Whether they may be linked or not, reducing and avoiding stress can result to general health and that of course includes your blood pressure level. In the treatment of high blood pressure, strategies in reducing, coping with, and avoiding stress is still included. Harvard Medical School advocates the following strategies:

1. Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.

2. Learn relaxation techniques. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful stress-busters.

3. Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group.

4. Hone your time-management skills. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level.

5. Try to resolve stressful situations if you can. Don’t let stressful situations fester. Hold family problem-solving sessions and use negotiation skills at home and at work.

6. Nurture yourself. Treat yourself to a massage. Truly savor an experience: for example, eat slowly and really focus on the taste and sensations of each bite. Take a nap, or listen to your favorite music.

7. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, friends, and neighbors. If stress and anxiety persist, ask your doctor whether anti-anxiety medications could be helpful.