Stress & Weight Gain - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

famnd · 12-06-2007, 09:19 PM

Dr. Oz & the Dr. on the Today Show plus other articles are saying that one can actually gain weight from constant stress. I guess it is from the chemicals/hormones that are released during stress. Maybe that is why a lot of us gain weight once we find out that we have HBP & have to go on the b/p med roller coaster. We usually blame it on the drugs especially the beta blockers & eating too much. Perhaps their is another reason.

What do most of you do to release stress? I write in a journal (for my eyes only), swim, ride my exercise bike, walk, do mindless chores (folding laundry, cleaning, etc), eat comfort food (usually healthy), read etc. I find I have to work off the adrenalin first before doing something quiet. Fam

marantz1935 · 12-07-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famnd

I find I have to work off the adrenalin first before doing something quiet.

Hi Fam,

Hope all is well with you.

I was curious about this this comment about the adrenaline thing you mentioned. I feel like I'm running on it all day, but I can't figure out why. It was never a problem before my HBP issues started. I feel like I can't relax fully, even when I want to. It's a most unsettling feeling. It's at it's worst in the morning. My doctor is putting it down to very bad anxiety. Is this your experience?

flowergirl2day · 12-07-2007, 07:44 PM

Hi Fam,

There must be many ways to relieve stress. I have a few favorites. Enjoying some quiet time in my beautiful garden, with only the wildlife for company, is one. I like nothing more than spending a few hours at the library, surrounded by books. Then there are those nature walks through the woods that are so relaxing and good for the mind and body...and then, of course, there is the shopping.......a great stress reliever!!!
We should try to do little (or big) things for ourselves that make us happy. If we succeed in finding ways to effectively manage the stress in our lives, we will be happier and healthier.

flowergirl

famnd · 12-10-2007, 08:10 PM

Thanks FG for the suggestions. mar in answer to your question re: adrenalin. I don't have constant adrenalin flow & stress. There are just certain times when I am trying to accomplish a lot & my husband is in a hurry to go somewhere that it surfaces. He is a more of a type A personality who is always on the go & in a hurry. I tend to be a more laid back kind of person who plans ahead so that I don't have to be always on a treadmill. My high dose of meds particularly beta blockers have really slowed me down plus the fact that it takes so much more time for me to to walk because of the knee damage from Cozaar Then there is the damage to my hands & fingers which prevent me from quickly doing anything from starting the car to cutting up vegetables. I find that people in general are very impatient.

I stressproof my life as much as possible with exercise (moderate), writing in my journal, eating healthy, & making sure I do the things that make me happy. Stressproofing our lives is even more important as we age & enounter health problems.

An over active thyroid will make you feel very anxious so you need to get that checked every year after 40 yrs. Fam

marantz1935 · 12-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Thanks Fam,

Sorry to hear of your physical problems.

I hope you didn't mind me asking the adrenalin question. I'm getting frustrated still waking up every morning in an anxious state so early in the morning.

I'm the kind of guy who needs answers to a problem. I've been doing nothing but looking up the effects of HBP on individuals - apart from the general stuff you find on medical sites. Things like, do HBP sufferers get more palpitations that the rest of us. So far I've learned that 12% of people with HBP also suffer depression.That sort of information.

PS, I don't know if my Thyroid was checked during my recent blood test. Would it have been included as standard? I'm over 40.

Thanks for your reply.

Marantz.