- Health & Wellness
5 Easy Ways to Manage Your Blood Pressure
Caregivers are dedicated to supporting others, but caring for your own health is just as important. A healthy lifestyle can help you manage high blood pressure, improve your immune system, boost energy levels and lower stress. Here are 5 easy ways to stay healthy and manage your blood pressure.
1. Start small
Making lifestyle changes can be overwhelming, so start small. Try setting simple goals, like adding a piece of fruit to one of your meals each day. Incorporate small changes into your routine, such as taking a short walk or choosing a healthy snack like nuts. Little steps are easier to stick with and can lead to bigger improvements over time.
2. Eat Well
A nutritious diet has many benefits, including reducing blood pressure. Try to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins in your meals. You might find it helpful to prepare easy, healthy meals in advance.
The MyPlate Plan is a free dietary guideline designed to help people make healthier food choices. It offers tools, recipes, and tips to help you stay on track and create a balanced diet.
Use the free Start Simple with MyPlate app to help you make positive changes in your eating. The app makes it easy to pick simple daily food goals and track your progress.
Start the questionnaire below to get your eating plan.
3. Stay Active
Exercise is a powerful tool in managing blood pressure and improving overall wellbeing. Simple activities like stretching during breaks, taking a brisk walk or engaging in a quick at-home workout are ways to fit physical activity into your busy day. If you have healthcare coverage through SEIU 775 Benefits Group, you have access to wellness coaching, physical therapy and fitness discounts to help you get and stay active. Learn more about your fitness benefits.
4. Track Your Progress
Monitoring your progress helps to keep you motivated and can show you how far you’ve come. Use a journal, an app, or simple notes to track your daily habits and health improvements. Recognize and celebrate small steps along the way, as these can be significant milestones in your health journey.
5. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
As a caregiver, it’s easy to be hard on yourself when you’re juggling many responsibilities. Remember to be patient with yourself. Understand that making gradual changes and experiencing setbacks is part of the process. Focus on the progress you’re making and continue to prioritize your own health.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only the number one way to manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure — it also helps you to provide better care for others. Here’s to a healthier, happier you!
Monitoring your progress helps to keep you motivated and can show you how far you’ve come. Use a journal, an app, or simple notes to track your daily habits and health improvements. Recognize and celebrate small steps along the way, as these can be significant milestones in your health journey.
FREE resources to support a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy Eating
Shop Simple with MyPlate
Find savings in your area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods.
Tips for Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
Get tips for healthy eating that support a healthy weight.
CDC – Healthy Eating Tips
Get tips for improving your diet by increasing essential nutrients and reducing unhealthy ingredients.
Exercise and Staying Active
CDC – Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
Learn how to measure the intensity of physical activity using methods like the talk test, heart rate, and perceived exertion.
CDC – Food Assistance Resources
Find a list of helpful resources that offer assistance and access to healthy food.
