6 Natural Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure
When it comes to blood pressure, there’s no such thing as being too cautious. Often called the “silent killer” because it frequently has few or no symptoms, high blood pressure affects nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States alone.
When it comes to managing high blood pressure, lifestyle can play a significant role. Keeping active, eating healthy foods, and even using certain types of furniture like zero gravity recliners are all effective manners to reduce blood pressure. With a few simple lifestyle changes, it’s possible you may be able to reduce or avoid medications altogether.
While your healthcare professional will help determine what is best for you, we’re taking a look at 6 natural ways to reduce blood pressure and improve your overall health.
Natural Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure
Finding natural ways to reduce blood pressure is key to lowering your risk of heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure symptoms can also include things like fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, and vision problems. Some natural ways to reduce blood pressure include:
- Exercise regularly and lead an active lifestyle
- Consume less alcohol to stay within moderation guidelines
- Eat dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth and reduce blood pressure
- Manage stress levels to keep blood pressure down
- Use a zero gravity chair to improve blood circulation
- Give up smoking to reverse increased risk of heart disease
Exercise Regularly and Stay Active for Better Circulation
There’s no doubt that exercising regularly and staying active are natural ways to reduce blood pressure and improve your overall health. Doing exercises several times a week to elevate your heart rate helps improve heart health naturally and improve blood circulation.
After you’re finished exercising, it’s important to also have a post workout recovery routine that will help your body relax and heal.
Drink Less Alcohol and Stay Within Moderation
Next on our list of natural ways to reduce blood pressure is drinking less alcohol. Studies have linked alcohol to 16% of high blood pressure cases worldwide. While consuming small amounts of alcohol has also been suggested to benefit the heart, it’s important to make sure the benefits aren’t outweighed by the negative effects.
The fact is, drinking any alcohol can increase your blood pressure. Eliminating your alcohol consumption altogether is the only sure way to lower blood pressure in this regard. However, if you do consume alcohol, it’s best to stick to the CDC’s suggested limits for moderate alcohol consumption.
Eat Dark Chocolate to Reduce Blood Pressure
Now this is a natural way to reduce blood pressure that we can get behind! The chocolate lover in you can rejoice because studies have linked eating a square or two of dark chocolate each day to a decline in risk of heart disease by way of lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation. It’s important to note, however, that the dark chocolate needs to be at least 60 to 70 percent cacao to make the cut.
Learn How to Manage Stress Levels on a Daily Basis
One of the most obvious natural ways to reduce blood pressure is learning how to manage stress levels. We all encounter daily stresses in our lives but, left unchecked, chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, and negatively impacts your mental health.
Taking a few minutes each day to focus on stress management will do wonders for your overall health. It’s important to find what works for you. Is it having a workout routine? Do you enjoy meditating? Maybe you prefer to practice managing stress in a zero gravity chair in the comfort of your home. Whatever you find works for you, taking the time to handle stress will make a noticeable difference in your daily life and help reduce blood pressure.
Tip: We know life is busy! To make time for stress management, combine it with sitting on the couch or in a zero gravity chair as part of a relaxing night time routine. This will help it become part of your daily life more easily and help you wind down for better sleep.
Improving Blood Circulation By Sitting in a Zero Gravity Chair
Speaking of zero gravity chairs, they’re next on our list! In addition to the other health benefits of zero gravity chairs like improving lung function and boosting your immune system naturally, they are perfect for use as a way to reduce blood pressure. The zero gravity position helps improve blood circulation throughout the body, reducing pressure on the heart and improving your overall health.
Some zero gravity chairs also offer additional features like massage and heat therapy functions that help reduce blood pressure naturally, as well. The benefits of zero gravity chairs for all ages should make them top of the list when choosing chairs for your living room or any other places in your home!
Quit Smoking to Lower Blood Pressure and Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Smoking causes an immediate increase in blood pressure and heart rate. This makes quitting smoking a no-brainer when it comes to natural ways to reduce blood pressure! The chemicals in tobacco damage blood vessel walls, causing inflammation and constricting arteries. Hardened and clogged arteries elevate blood pressure dramatically increasing your risk of heart disease or stroke.
Secondhand smoke can have harmful effects on blood pressure as well. One study has even shown a correlation between higher blood pressure in children from secondhand smoke as compared to those in non-smoking homes.
Finding natural ways to reduce blood pressure can be as simple as making a few easy lifestyle changes. So this year, commit to yourself. Lead a more active lifestyle, make healthier choices, or choose a zero gravity chair for the entire family to enjoy enhanced health benefits! You’ll feel the difference and it’ll improve your physical and mental health.
Looking for more ways to make healthy choices this year? Check out these new year resolution ideas to improve your overall health naturally!
