Okay, so I can't go into specifics, but I've heard some news that raises my blood pressure and causes a feeling of dread in me. It's nothing medical (though I have been watching too many House episodes on DVD this week). No, it's work related and while I was doing okay with the pending school year, now I'm thinking I might need serious medicating.
So, any suggestions of non-drug ways to lower my blood pressure and stay sane (at least until faced with the actual dreadedness)?
Movie of the Day: Hanging Up. These ladies know stress.
9 comments:
A regular exercise program has slight but well-documented benefits in the lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. So says Dr. Nate.
Thank you, Dr. Nate. I tried some Centering Prayer, which seemed to help too. I'm trying to visualize a lotus flower in the situation, but I'm stumbling over what a lotus flower actually looks like! Ack.
I'll hit my treadmill in the morning, doctor.
P.S. Have you ever watched "House"?
Mmm, I like pizza and beer.
[sits smiling, then realizes error...]
Oh, you said LOWER your blood pressure!
Sorry!
Yoga, espresso floats*, and shoe shopping. Not necessarily in that order.
*Espresso Floats
Vanilla ice cream
espresso, chilled
Amaretto (or anything you like)
Cream soda
Place a scoop-or three- of ice cream in tall glass. Pour a little espresso and a little Amaretto on top of ice cream. Fill the glass with cream soda. Serve with straw and several dozen cookies.
Either your blood pressure will lower, or you won't care.
I am going to have pizza tonight, sans beer. Don't tell Dr. Nate.
Chocolate. Good expensive rich chocolate that you eat with NO guilt whatsoever.
Centering Prayer. Has lowered my blood pressure several degrees.
Or change something. That sometimes works.
2:1 breathing physiologically lowers your stress responses in your body. Plus it gives you something specific to focus on. Count your inhale and then exhale twice as long. Breath from you belly or diaphragm.
Think of a full water lily flower. Among other things, it is considered the Hindu symbol of spiritual fulfillment as the beautiful lotus flower puts its roots down in the muck and grows through the water to break the surface of the water into the sunlight. The lotus is also considered to be Buddha's nature.
I noticed a few typos after publishing: breathe and your, not breath and you.
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