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Physical Health Benefits

Telly03Telly03 Veteran
edited February 2012 in General Banter
I had my blood pressure checked today, and it was 116/80, which is perfect... I had been warned years ago that I should keep an eye on my BP because it was getting high, and high BP does run in my family. I was actually concerned about what my BP would be because I really have not been exercising much, just some walking, so I'm wondering if it would be fair to attribute meditation and mindful practices to lowering my BP? or is there no connection?

Comments

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    I think meditation has been proved to lower BP, and to lower the level of stress hormones in the system (which in turn would lower BP).

    Do you do anything to hedge your bets when having your blood pressure checked? I always relax as much as possible, and sort of go into prepped-for-sleep mode. I also use un-iodized salt, which helps keep BP low. The more mineralized the salt (like Tibetan salt, or Great Salt Lake salt, both highly mineralized), the higher it sends your BP.
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    edited February 2012
    Do you do anything to hedge your bets when having your blood pressure checked? I always relax as much as possible, and sort of go into prepped-for-sleep mode.
    Well the only thing I had changed was that I hadn't been running due to a slow healing knee injury, which I thought would hurt my BP, and once I noticed they were going to check my BP I started focusing on my breaths which immediately calms me... I actually do this often, whenever waiting in line or not directly engaging with anyone, I just go to counting breaths and enjoy the calming that comes from it. I'm thinking the calming, even for just a couple min prior, may have impacted the results.
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    I think you know walking is just as good as running, except that it's not cardio but more aerobics. Have you made food changes? Sometime that can lower BP...also after a long fast. Are you eating enough calories, btw?
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    @Lady_Alison I eat pretty much the same meals, but have cut out soda completely, but still have an occasional beer with a meal, and I also stopped ordering deserts as I normally would when eating out so that I wouldn't put on the weight from not running... so yes, the cutting of the sugar may be the answer.
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    I asked because when I fast for Ramadan, my BP drops to 90/70 because I become sedentary during that month. I was wondering if that was happening...good job though, we want you around as long as possible. :)
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    I also am a runner....the elliptical is beneficial to ex runners my 70 year old neighbor made the switch after a bum knee.
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    @Lady_Alison I have contemplated fasting during Ramadan, not for religious reasons, but for the experience, as I imagine it is pretty challenging. I like to be able to relate to the experiences of others. I'll take this as a reminder to prep for the next one... thank you :)
  • weightedweighted Veteran
    Meditation and any breathing exercises can definitely lower your blood pressure. Many yoga teachers I've had in the past also said that, according to scientific studies, practicing yoga for about 10-15 minutes usually brings your blood pressure to a normal rate.

    I don't know much about food and its interaction with blood pressure, so I'll leave others to that. :)

    I'm glad to hear your blood pressure is at a normal rate now!
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran

    If you need tips, let me know. The fasting wasn't hard for me, believe it or not...it was the cussing that I had to refrain.
    @Lady_Alison I have contemplated fasting during Ramadan, not for religious reasons, but for the experience, as I imagine it is pretty challenging. I like to be able to relate to the experiences of others. I'll take this as a reminder to prep for the next one... thank you :)
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Oh yeah @weighted is correct. Do you do yoga? It really does help BP..and btw, do you miss running? I don't know what I would do if I couldn't run.
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Oh yeah @weighted is correct. Do you do yoga? It really does help BP..and btw, do you miss running? I don't know what I would do if I couldn't run.
    I had been doing yoga, just not in the last couple weeks due to conflicting kids things, but yes I guess that would have contributed as well

    Not being able to run sucks.... You start feeling like a slug, and I dread the first few runs after being out for awhile. I'll check out the elliptical, my wife also gave me the same advice, but I expect that I will feel to big for it at 6'6"... I hated running on treadmills because they just feel too small for me.
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Not at all telly, Jesus christ you are very tall! ...okay, ellipticals are massive compare to threadmills. My neighbor is 6ft 3 in...and he swears by it. You get a good Cardio. I hate running inside a building, I feel trapped and feel like a caged hamster on a wheel. I don't get gyms!
    :)
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