Gardening and Lowering Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is known as "the silent killer" because it's possible to live with this issue for years without knowing it.
The American Heart Association estimates that one in three adults in the U.
S.
have high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure if untreated.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk of these outcomes by monitoring your blood pressure and making simple lifestyle changes if you do have this condition.
Effective ways to lower your blood pressure are making changes in your diet, reducing stress and getting regular exercise.
One way of taking advantage of all of these strategies is to get out and garden.
Gardening is a proven way to relieve stress.
It is a great way to spend time outdoors and get your body moving on a regular basis.
And, when you start incorporating your garden harvest into your diet, you'll be taking even more positive steps towards reducing your risks.
Regular exercise can reduce the risk for high blood pressure.
The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate physical activity for 30 minutes most days.
After checking with your doctor, you will want to get ready to garden.
Brisk walking and a variety of stretching exercises performed for a few weeks before you begin working in the garden will help get your body ready.
Take your time as you start to work outdoors and don't overdo it.
Start each gardening session with stretches and a walk around the garden to warm up your muscles.
Get your heart rate up while working, and alternate strenuous activities like digging and raking with some smaller movements.
Maintaining a healthy weight is a key to keeping blood pressure under control.
Eating a healthy diet packed with garden fruits and vegetables and getting regular exercise in your garden will help you maintain or lose weight to stay healthy.
While working in the garden, most people experience a soothing feeling of relaxation and letting go of the stresses of the day.
The Mayo Clinic recommends making changes in your activities to weed out excess and do the things you really enjoy.
The Mayo Clinic also recommends practicing deep breathing, meditation and regular physical activity to help make positive changes toward reducing high blood pressure.
Eating your garden produce can also help lower your blood pressure.
Studies have shown that diets high in fruits and vegetables can reduce blood pressure significantly.
A diet low in sodium and fat, with adequate amounts of potassium is effective in fighting this condition.
Foods high in potassium include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, lima beans and cooked carrots.
Research is continuing to discover the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as it relates to high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association estimates that one in three adults in the U.
S.
have high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure if untreated.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk of these outcomes by monitoring your blood pressure and making simple lifestyle changes if you do have this condition.
Effective ways to lower your blood pressure are making changes in your diet, reducing stress and getting regular exercise.
One way of taking advantage of all of these strategies is to get out and garden.
Gardening is a proven way to relieve stress.
It is a great way to spend time outdoors and get your body moving on a regular basis.
And, when you start incorporating your garden harvest into your diet, you'll be taking even more positive steps towards reducing your risks.
Regular exercise can reduce the risk for high blood pressure.
The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate physical activity for 30 minutes most days.
After checking with your doctor, you will want to get ready to garden.
Brisk walking and a variety of stretching exercises performed for a few weeks before you begin working in the garden will help get your body ready.
Take your time as you start to work outdoors and don't overdo it.
Start each gardening session with stretches and a walk around the garden to warm up your muscles.
Get your heart rate up while working, and alternate strenuous activities like digging and raking with some smaller movements.
Maintaining a healthy weight is a key to keeping blood pressure under control.
Eating a healthy diet packed with garden fruits and vegetables and getting regular exercise in your garden will help you maintain or lose weight to stay healthy.
While working in the garden, most people experience a soothing feeling of relaxation and letting go of the stresses of the day.
The Mayo Clinic recommends making changes in your activities to weed out excess and do the things you really enjoy.
The Mayo Clinic also recommends practicing deep breathing, meditation and regular physical activity to help make positive changes toward reducing high blood pressure.
Eating your garden produce can also help lower your blood pressure.
Studies have shown that diets high in fruits and vegetables can reduce blood pressure significantly.
A diet low in sodium and fat, with adequate amounts of potassium is effective in fighting this condition.
Foods high in potassium include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, lima beans and cooked carrots.
Research is continuing to discover the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as it relates to high blood pressure.