THE DEFINITION
Our arteries carry blood from our heart to the rest of our body. When our blood flows through our arteries at a higher pressure than normal, it results in a condition called �High Blood Pressure’ (also named �Hypertension’).According to medical standards a normal blood pressure stands at a reading of about 120/80. High blood pressure is 140/90 or sometimes higher.
THE CAUSES
Some common reasons that lead to high blood pressure: stress, lack of regular exercise, unhealthy eating habits, family history, obesity and fatness. Regular and good exercise is the best way to prevent high blood pressure.
THE RISK AND SYMPTOMS
When you have shortness of breath, headache, dizziness or blurred vision, you may have a high blood pressure condition. Most of the other symptoms are unnoticeable in most cases, if any of the above mention occurs, you should do a full body check to find out the problems. Find out if you have the symptoms of anxiety, because some symptoms are shared.
Some other risk factors for high blood pressure leading to hypertension are excessive intake of sodium in diet, aging, diabetes, certain kidney diseases and atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries).
Stressful pregnancy may lead to high blood pressure, try to relax.
Extreme high blood pressure will raise the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially when weakened blood vessels that causes aneurysm. Hypertension will lead to loss of vision and disturbed metabolic syndrome, should not be taken lightly.
High blood pressure may also affect the kidneys by narrowing and weakening blood vessels in the kidneys.
INTRODUCTION TO RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Relaxation techniques are used by doctors and psychotherapists to reduce blood pressure, however, you can check yourself and prevent the blood pressure from rising using the same relaxation techniques. When you relax and focus on part of your body, calm your mind with relaxed muscles towards your whole body, your blood pressure will certainly goes down dramatically.
Common relaxation techniques to reduce blood pressure are:
Music TherapyProper exerciseYogaRelaxation HypnosisMassage AcupunctureMeditation
Many relaxation techniques are very effective to reduce blood pressure, below are some of the less common relaxation techniques. What really important is the methods are to be practiced regularly without fail. Let’s look at some recent and upcoming methods.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This is a form of relaxation technique where you need to slowly focus on getting each muscle group focused and then relaxed. Start by tensing and then relaxing the muscles in your toes and slowly work upwards to your neck and head. Use a minimum of least five seconds to tense your muscles, and then relax for 30 seconds, before you repeat the entire set. This exercise is very helpful in making you aware of physical sensations by learning to realize the difference between muscle tension and relaxation.
Visual Relaxation. Visualize mental image of peaceful places, calm your emotion and body, think of yourself on the beach, mountains, and small villages, hear and feel the wind and stream. Practice it with as many senses as you can, imagine the sound, sights, smells and textures. To practice visual relaxation, you need a quiet and calm place, and the wearing should be loose cotton clothing, this will help you focus and relax using the mind power. After all, the mind is the key to controlling your health, use it properly and restore your health condition.
Autogenic Practice. This method developed Johannes Schultz and first published in 1932. It uses the parallel methods of Yoga and meditation, and some of the progressive relaxation techniques. First, imagine the surrounding with peaceful elements, such as ocean, river stream or wind, then the practitioner will sit on a meditation posture, and start from the head or toe to the other end, using self help words to suggest the mind to clam and relax. Use relaxing and deep breathing; focus on the wording and relaxing your body part by part. Repeat the process until the whole body and mind is calm and relax.
OVERVIEW
High blood pressure will damage the arteries, which lead to complications like stroke and heart attack. Using relaxation techniques to reduce blood pressure is the best way to maintain a healthy body. Lowering the blood pressure will help to maintain your mental and physical health.