Meditation Is One Way to Fight Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure affects millions of Americans, and the problem seems to be getting worse. Undoubtedly, those dealing with this problem have to find a way to address it, and one way to do so is through meditation. The idea that blood pressure could be affected by meditation may not seem possible, but studies say otherwise. How Does Meditation Work? Meditation lowers blood pressure in a number of ways. For one, when you practice it long enough, it helps release feel-good hormones, such as serotonin.

These hormones can help relax the body by making you feel better and a little less stressed. Cortisol is the hormone associated with stress, and this hormone increases blood pressure. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to vilify cortisol. Yes, it is usually referred to as the stress hormone, but it actually serves an important function in the body.

This hormone helps the body prepare for a fight or flight situation. Your body becomes more agile; you’re able to focus better, stamina improves, and strength increases to help keep you alive in a dangerous situation.

The problem is that being chronically stressed could lead to hypertension, which is what meditation can help you fight. Mastering meditation can also help prevent episodes of high blood pressure. This would be possible because meditation gives you coping tools to help you deescalate situations that might trigger stress. Being able to keep yourself calm, even during trying times, can keep you safe and healthy.

The first thing to point out is that all meditation is not the same.

Get quality help now

KarrieWrites

Verified

Proficient in: Health

5 (339)

“ KarrieWrites did such a phenomenal job on this assignment! He completed it prior to its deadline and was thorough and informative. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

There are various types, and you can use the one that works best for you. The following are some types available that you should try until you find one that fits best:

Guided

Guided meditation helps turn your imagination on. You are given instructions to create an image or a vision that allows you to find peace within your mind. The person guiding is going to help you realize this image by telling you to imagine things like sighs, sounds, and textures. It can be very effective, especially if you need visual aids to feel at peace.

Mantra

Mantra meditation is another form of meditation that may be helpful for some. The idea here is to choose a specific word of phrase and repeat it during meditation. The word should help you concentrate and help you block out other distractions. Some people have a hard time blocking out distractions, and those people may find this kind of meditation helpful.

Mindful

This is a very effective type of meditation, especially for a person who has trouble controlling his or her emotions. Mindful meditation works because it helps train your mind to be more present in the moment and more self-aware. It allows you to take in stressful situations from a different perspective, which is meant to help you stay calm.

Movement

There are a few meditation types that fall in this category, like tai chi, yoga, or Qi gong. If you need a little movement to help you oncentrate and meditate, then you might want to try one of these options. On the plus side, exercising can also help release endorphins, and that is another chemical your brain makes to make you feel good, which is something you’ll want if you are trying to maintain your blood pressure. It is important that you do your best to try each of these until you find one you can master and use whenever necessary. Remember that you cannot depend on meditation alone if you are having trouble with your blood pressure. There is a lot that you have to do to stay in control. Of course, you are going to have to listen to your medical specialist to help control this issue.

You are also going to have to watch your diet and work on adopting a lifestyle that helps you stay healthy, but adding meditation to your life would be helpful, so talk to your specialist about it. He or she could help you monitor your blood pressure as you start this new journey so that you keep track of how your progress is affecting your health.