My blood pressure skyrockets when I'm stressed, my dr said do yoga. Uh- any other suggestions? Yoga=no.?

Question

I DID try the yoga, before you say 'give it a chance you may like it'. I don't like it. I'm looking for a different type of stress relief.
I work with kids at the Y and many are abused/troubled/in trouble. I sometimes bring it home with me, hard not to.
I'm also having some problems with my wife. I don't want to keel over or have a stroke. Thanks.

A. to the person who put Tai Chi (or anyone) what is that?
B to the person who put Zen Buddism (sp?) Meditation- explain what it is- sounds close to the yoga thing.
C. Anything else?

Soul Doctor- I know you say no side effects, but do they interact with stuff? I'm a skeptic. Also cost?
to the one who recommended supplements and the St. Johns Wart user, what are the side effects of these and how long do they take to work? I can't be sleepy with those kids!! They'll run over me.
I'm not afraid of doing so called 'girly' things. It's not a pride thing, I don't have issues with my manhood.
As for talking to my wife...well, that's a whole notha story. I appreciate the suggestion though.
I'm checking all this stuff though- thanks. The tai chi thing sounds cool- is it like karate? Would karate work, how hard is that to learn? I already box. Sometimes I think that makes it worse but I've heard that karate has a discipline to it that eases stress. Some of my boys at work who've started it have had an attitude change (Not sure about stress though).
Thanks again.

Answer 1

Living in our environments and having fast-paced lives does bring about a lot of stress. I really feel for you. I have many difficulties in handling stress, myself. I've currently been taking supplements to help me cope... I alternate between an herb called St. John's Wort and another called Kava Kava... both known to help with anxiety and stress. But don't just singly look to a pill to solve your problems. Take it as a daily supplement for your health... then look into doing something that relaxes YOU. For some, yoga relaxes them. But if that isn't something you enjoy... then it obviously will not do the trick. Breathing exercises at home is something to think about.... it's very simple. You'll need to find a quiet, private place to practice. Here is an article that can give you some insight. http://stress.about.com/od/breathingexercises/Breathing_Exercises_for_Stress_Management.htm

Use the time during your breathing exercises to reflect and focus on yourself. Aromatherapy can also aid in relaxation as you are doing your breathing exercises or just relaxing at home... try lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils.

If you're a male, I'll understand if you are a little skeptical on breathing exercises and aromatherapy. So as another alternative, go to the gym. Work it out, sweat it out... it'll allow your body to get rid of all the built up tension from the day. Believe it or not, but your muscles do hole a lot of tension and stress in them. It doesn't matter what form of exercise you are doing... it can be boxing, jogging, lifting weights... anything. It'll really help you feel better. I've never heard any one say that they feel terrible after a work out. 30 minutes a day after work, you will see the difference.

Most importantly, find someone to talk to. Let out your frustrations. You may not want to use your wife since you mentioned that you are having problems at home. But it is extremely important to have the emotional relief... if you keep all your emotions and feelings bottled up, in the end they will affect your health.

Good luck to you... if you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Why don't you try zen buddhism meditation ? No, I'm not yanking your chain. I also have a stressful job and stuff like high blood pressure is the last thing I need when I have to keep my stamina. I find personally, that when I feel pretty bad I just go somewhere away from people, even if it is just for 5 minutes, it makes a lot of difference. There's nothing strange about it or esoteric. I've been doing it for years and no, I don't feel I have to travel to some Japanese monastery to seek some guru. The 'guru' is inside you.

Good luck and I hope you find some of the solutions for yourself, that you are giving to the kids that you work with.

Answer 4

There are a few things you could try:

There is a breathing method that is clinically proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure when practiced regularly. Sit in a quiet place (or if you are stressed at work, find a closet or do this on a toilet), and breath in slowly through your nose and then breathe out nose/mouth for twice as long as the time you took to breathe in. So, breathe in for 5 counts and exhale for 10 counts. If you get lightheaded, try a lower count.

Tai Chi: it's an exercise that utilizes specific movements, designed in China, to promote meditation and self defense. It's usually in a series of several types of movements (each with different names). You just need a quiet open space like your living room or backyard. It's slow and gentle flowing movements. You should go to a Tai Chi master and learn at least 6 you can do everyday for about 10 minutes. That's all it should take.

There is also Qi Gong: It's similar to Tai Chi but with different styles of movement. It also combines movement and breathing and energy into this wonderful form of relaxation and meditation. It's proven to reduce stress and the negative things that come with it.

Regular massage also helps.

Also, the reason you are bringing the "stuff" home with you is because you are not blocking their energy from absorbing into yours. When you are having a particulary rough day, imagine you are "The Boy in the Bubble" and you are protected by everything around you. Their "stuff" is theirs - you have your own "stuff" to worry about. Once you can learn how to master this preventative technique then your problems could very well start disappearing.

Answer 5

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 6

I tend to get stressed at work, and that it NOT a good place to do yoga or tai chi. While exercise is a great way to de-stress after work, trying to calm down while working can be much harder. Actually, I use aromatherapy and have found it very successful. For stress, I use a lavender oil and I either just take a good deep breath of the oil and slow my breathing, or I will even put it on my temples. Lavender has an instant soothing effect, and it also smells great for those around you. I notice that when I open my lavender, people around me seem to calm down. There are so many different types of oils for just about everything. Check out this website. They are so much better for you than taking meds.

Answer 7

since you're not into the yoga thing and don't seem to have an affinity for the more eastern remedies, how about putting aside the wifey problems and commune with her... that is, have more sex! then go for a long walk (alone).

but really, if that just won't work out in your situation and there's excess angst, i would HIGHLY suggest enrolling in a kung fu class. it will kick your *** and give you good mental and physical energy, clear your mind and let YOU kick some ***, too. i have been an off&on again yogi and yet when I was going through a very tough time i just did not have the patience for anything yogic or too zen like. kung fu did the trick. try it. one class. please?

Answer 8

Tai Chi is a marital arts form which is more used for exercise than as a way of defending oneself. The training can shift into the martial arts form when one studies "push hands".

Chi Kung is another breathing techique which is affiliated with Tai Chi... it is using your breath in a focused manner to facilitate healing. Search on line for Chi Kung and see what you find out.

If you want external help with stress, go see an acupuncturist. They can really tap into what is wound up in your systems and drain it out. It is really amazing how a good needle session can shift things in your body. Also, there are ruby lasers which can help for those who are needle-phobic.

It is very interesting how societies other than the western world have all these systems which actually bring about change in our stress levels. Seems that the western world would rather us keel over with a stroke or whatever than help us de-stress.

Keep on seeking, you will find your way to the answer which suits you.

Maluhia - Peace

Answer 9

I can understand what you are going through, because being a Physician I feel the same treating people, I highly recommend these three Homeopathic remedies together AURUM MET 30X, BRYONIA ALBA 30X and NATRIUM MUR 30X three times a day half an hour before meals. These will not only bring you blood pressure down and keep it down after taking them for a few days you will notice that your stress and anxiety levels remain at low keel permanently and you will feel yourself better capable of helping the kids without feeling depressed or tense. You can take my word for it, nothing and I repeat nothing works faster or is more effective then these three in situation like yours. And no side effects or complications GUARANTEED. Take them today and by tomorrow you will confirm what I have said about their effectiveness. That's a Promise. Try them you will love the effect they have on you and they are totally non addictive.

Take Care and God Bless !

Answer 10

You should jog or do some type of rigorous exercise. My cousin has high blood pressure and one time she was feeling sick (like her blood pressure was really high). She went to the gym immediately and did 3 miles on the treadmill. The next day her doctor told her that she saved her life by going to the gym right away instead of the emergency room (where she probably would've sat still waiting hours to be seen). Exercise is crucial to lowering high blood pressure.