Work Stress & High Blood Pressure
By award-winning author and stress-relief expert Susie Mantell
Q: "I have high blood pressure. I work very hard in a stressful job I have lost the art to relax. Please can you help me?"
A:I surely will try...
First, it sounds as though your work-related-stress has seeped into aspects of your personal life where it does not belong. It happens easily, particularly to people who are
committed and conscientious, and take their responsibilities to heart. But now, you are
LITERALLY taking your responsibilities to "Heart" and your health and well-being are
being impacted. It's great that you are realizing that your have some degree of influence
here, and that is a huge step toward "remembering" the art of relaxation of which you
speak.
Here are some thoughts:
1) Get fully evaluated by a trusted physician who is specifically knowledgeable about
high blood pressure and the many, many factors that can influence it. Be certain (s)he is
someone who will listen to you. (A tall order...but they're out there. May take more than
one try to find the right doctor.)
2) This is for 2 reasons: A) You must know, medically, what is going on. B) You may
well find that what they tell you will be a great relief. (Worrying about one's blood
pressure...does not do great things for one's blood pressure!)
3)Take 2-3 minute mini-breaks once per hour in your work day, and commit yourself to
doing a minimum of one fun thing every single day, without exception.
A few to try...
-Call up an old friend
-Take yourself to a funny movie (or a tearjerker! Crying is a great release.)
-Get some moderate, pleasurable exercise
-Watch a goofy TV show
-Organize a pile/drawer/closet (not fun until afterwards)
-Buy yourself flowers
-Do something kind for someone else
-Take a long, hot bath
-Go out for a nice, healthy-but-really-delicious meal
-Get hugged
-Dance like crazy...all by yourself
-Listen to music you love
-Go someplace beautiful..a drive, museum, garden
4) You might enjoy falling alseep to music or a soothing relaxation tape like my own,"Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace" or others.
5) Many people find great relief in acupuncture, massage or other body/energy work, the
bouancy of swimming, or even short-term counseling to explore the work-related stress
and how to let the excess stuff go....
Remember...
Life really IS short.
Do your job.
Care about doing it well.
But FIRST, come your health and well-being!
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Award-winning stress-relief expert Susie Mantell ...is the author of the deeply soothing relaxation CD, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace,” clinically approved for symptoms associated with stress and sleeplessness, depression and grief, anxiety, P.T.S.D., Fibromyalgia, caregiver stress, cancer, pain, divorce and addiction recovery. Featured in The Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS-TV, Town & Country, The American Pain Society, Hazelden and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, listeners include The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Betty Ford Center, V.A. Hospitals,and Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa.) Customizing stress-reduction for Fortune 500 companies, distinguished hospitals and spas, Mantell has facilitated thousands in relieving health-related, work-related, chronic or traumatic stress. Her multi-sensory, mind-body techniques appear in national media, medical and corporate publications. Susie Mantell's Stress-Relief & Wellness Tips are intended as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, professional health care. Order “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” and find more of Mantell’s stress-relief tips at www.relaxintuit.com