Hi all. Just joined! My blood pressure is high and the dr suggested this site to me. I struggle with eating healthier and exercise. I know I need to completely change my routine, but I don’t know where to begin or how to change old habits and comforts.
Any suggestions would be greatly received. Kind Regards.
Acupuncture has been proven to lower BP. It has worked for me but you need to find a good, qualified acupuncturist.
Olive oil has been proven to lower BP.
Find an exercise regime that suits you. A Tai Chi class is a good start. Not too taxing on the body but it has a subtlety that affects the mind and body. Recommended by the national osteoporosis society so good for balance and reducing the chance of falls. You may find this a useful overview from the Harvard Medical school health.harvard.edu/staying-....
Hi Sarawharton2003 , welcome, we are not able to give medical advice, but we are friendly and supportive people who enjoy tasty and healthy food!
If you need to lose weight that is a good place to start, how high is your BP and did your GP suggest medication, or try to bring it down with lifestyle changes first?
Your GP may have advised to avoid a lot of salt?
Regular exercise is good, but don’t go mad too soon as you don’t want an injury, start with something gentle at first, like Tai Chi as suggested above, or gentle walking.
BP can be affected by stress as well so anything which helps you relax would be great.
Good luck and let us know if you want any more specific ideas 😀
Asking people to relax is difficult if the mind is still going over the same old problems. If only it could be that easy.
BP can be affected by stress, so the aim is to quieten the mind. I suggest looking at Mindfulness and a good place to start is on Youtube and listen to Professor Mark Williams one of the architects of the Mindfulness programme for the NHS. That is why Tai Chi can be of benefit as concentration needed is high that it is very difficult for the mind to stray into day to day thoughts.
Of course it’s not that easy, it was very general advice, that’s why I suggested the OP asked if she wanted more specific advice. To tackle high blood pressure is a complex issue with many different aspects. The OP sounded a bit overwhelmed in her post and may need to decide what she focuses on first.
Just remember, only you know what you love to do and don't love to do. If exercise for example is something you hate to do (some people hate it believe me) then perhaps find activities that you love to do that you don't consider exercise (like walking, or swimming, bike riding outdoors in nature, hiking, etc.,). If you can't do those things easily (some people are very shy and don't like to go outdoors much for walks - especially when feeling out of shape and embarrassed) then eating healthier may be the way (or exercise in doors at your house). Anyways, with food, too you need to be realistic to what you love and don't love. I do intermittent fasting because I love how I feel when I do it, and I love the results. I don't like to go to gyms, for many reasons, so I rely on other means to lose weight. But, sometimes I do go to gyms, it's just not the norm for me. I'm an introvert, and prefer to do things alone, or on my own rather. I prefer hikes, walks on the beach, swimming in the ocean, I do a lot of things all alone. Fasting is easy for me.
Just know who you are and what you know you won't like to do and know what you won't mind to try.
I'm here if you need help or suggestions. Do the things you know you will love to do (activities) and eat the healthy foods you know you will love. Like, Mmmm Pineapple! I just love pineapple!
Here is a summary of the subject nutritionfacts.org/topics/b... from which there are 145 videos on the subject, the first of which is nutritionfacts.org/video/ho... which goes through the science behind high blood pressure - which goes back to the early 20th century.
I cannot recommend a whole food plant based diet enough.
Actually for son
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Beetroot
