High Blood Pressure: Holistic Therapy Options
Modern medicine has developed many pharmaceutical products which can help to bring the common and dangerous condition of hypertension under control. In addition to medical treatments, there are many natural ways to lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Reducing Your Risk
Several factors increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, and many are under your control. Changing your habits and making different lifestyle choices can often go a long way to helping you reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Limit Tobacco and Alcohol Use
Using tobacco is a habit which increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. Smoking or chewing tobacco daily can be a very detrimental risk factor because these habits raise blood pressure immediately.
Heavy drinking is another habit that can lead to high blood pressure. Reducing tobacco use and consuming no more than one (women) or two (men) drinks per day can reduce high blood pressure.
Manage Stress More Effectively
Chronic stress is a major factor in the development of hypertension. Meditation of all types can help calm the mind and body. Inhaling and exhaling slowly and in a controlled fashion will help the body—including the heart—to slow down, thereby reducing hypertension.
Music can be very therapeutic for mind, heart, and body, so putting on some music that you enjoy is definitely a beneficial treatment for hypertension.
Exercise
We all know that walking, running, cycling, and swimming can help lower hypertension and keep you fit. Remember that engaging in regular and healthy sexual activity can also benefit your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Toga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong are all methods of exercise which include elements of stress-reducing meditation for increased self-awareness.
Other Ways to Treat Hypertension
In addition to making lifestyle changes, there are many other things you can do to treat hypertension.
Sodium and Nutrient Intake
Reducing sodium in your diet can help, as can increasing the amount of potassium you consume. Potassium helps rid the body of sodium and also helps relax the blood vessels. Consider eating foods like bananas, nuts, salmon, fruits, and leafy dark green vegetables for more potassium.
You can also eat magnesium-rich foods to help with blood pressure regulation, such as whole grains, nuts, legumes, avocados, and dark chocolate.
Herbs, Spices, and Seeds
Holistic medicine for high blood pressure also includes consuming certain herbs and seeds. Ground flax seeds can relieve hypertension and are ideal for reducing cholesterol and improving tolerance to glucose. Ceylon cinnamon and garlic can benefit blood pressure and be added to everything from coffee to stews.
The Body’s Medicine
Acupressure and reflexology, as well as acupuncture, can all be beneficial for reducing hypertension without pharmaceuticals. They release the body’s own energy and medicine to facilitate healing.
A holistic nutrition degree can help you assist individuals with treating their hypertension naturally. The University of Natural Health is one of the top holistic nutrition schools. Learn more about our wide selection of courses online or call 1-888-397-9394.