In a very important conversation, Luke Laffin, MD, Co-Director of Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic, said that only 30% of blood pressure management entails medications. The remaining 70% is about changing your lifestyle. There is a high chance that medicines won’t work effectively if you do not make the necessary lifestyle changes to live with blood pressure problems, such as hypertension.
When we talk about making lifestyle changes, we mean that you must modify your habits to lower your blood pressure. This blog will discuss how to maintain blood pressure naturally.
5 Ways to Control Blood Pressure Naturally
1. Exercise Regularly
One of the best things you can do to reduce your blood pressure is to engage in any form of exercise. Regular exercise will make your heart stronger. As a result, it will pump blood more efficiently, lowering blood pressure in your arteries.
Spend about 150 minutes every week doing moderate exercise such as walking around the neighborhood. If you like vigorous exercise such as jogging or running, limit your exercise time to 75 minutes per week. If these exercises don’t interest you, you can also try something fun like swimming or biking.
2. Cut Back on Alcohol and Caffeine
Drinking alcohol excessively can increase your blood pressure. Please avoid doing so or limit your consumption. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. If you drink more than that, please cut back.
Caffeine can cause an instant boost in blood pressure. It can also cause short-term spikes in blood pressure and has a stronger effect on people who do not consume it daily. If you think you are sensitive to caffeine, try cutting back and check if it lowers your blood pressure.
3. Lower Your Sodium Intake and Increase Your Potassium Intake
Cutting back on sodium-rich foods and increasing your potassium intake can also lower your blood pressure.
Potassium counteracts the effect salt has on your body and calms down your blood vessels. There are so many foods naturally high in potassium that you can add to your diet, such as fish, low-fat dairy foods, fruits (such as apricots, oranges, bananas, and avocados), and vegetables (such as tomatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, and spinach).
4. Try Meditation and Yoga
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress. Since it lowers stress, it also helps maintain blood pressure levels. Apps such as Breathe can ease you into meditation. Yoga is a common type of meditation that focuses on breathing control, posture, and mindfulness.
Both meditation and yoga with deep breathing techniques can activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. As a result, your heart rate slows down, and your blood pressure lowers. Make it a habit to spend 10 minutes each morning in meditation or light yoga to combat stress.
5. Make Sure You Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Your blood pressure levels usually reduce while you are asleep. If you do not sleep well, it can affect your blood pressure. People in their middle ages who suffer from insomnia or sleep deprivation have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, try creating and following a regular sleep schedule. Spend time at night doing relaxing activities and make sure your bedroom is comfortable. Taking naps in the day might also hinder your sleep at night.
Get Your Vitals Checked at Health One Family Medicine Today
Still wondering how to maintain blood pressure naturally? Get in touch with a provider from Health One Family Medicine today. We can counsel you on lifestyle changes to maintain your blood pressure levels and achieve optimum health. To make an appointment with a physician at Health One Family Medicine, visit https://www.healthonemedicine.com/ or call (469)262-5762.