Single Moms - Prime Candidates For High Blood Pressure

Times are tough and more so for single moms trying to make ends meet. The current economic climate and scarcity of jobs does not help either. So it is no surprise more and more single moms are experiencing increased levels of stress and suffering from high blood pressure.

If you find yourself distracted, drinking more alcohol than usual, biting your nails, snapping at others for no good reason, moody, irritable and have difficulty falling asleep at night, amongst other symptoms, you may well be suffering from stress.

If left unresolved these can become physically dangerous even after just a short time such as experiencing high blood pressure from being angry all the time or even becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs in seeking to escape the problems of life.

High blood pressure is particularly insidious because there are no symptoms. You may feel angry all the time and know that being that way is not good for you but there will be no warning signs as to what it is doing to your health.

As a single Mom finding ways to cope with stress can be difficult. Time is always at a premium. There is always more to do than time available to do it in. Clean the house or apartment, prepare breakfast, take children to school or daycare, get to work on time, collect kids at the end of the day, prepare the evening meal, homework, washing (clothes and dishes), the list of activities is endless. It is difficult enough coping when there are two of you but as a single Mom it is like being on a treadmill with no respite.

So what can you do?

Three things.

1. When faced with a stressful situation, stop and think. Don't go off pop! Take several deep breaths. This will give you time to think about how you are going to react to the stressful situation and will reduce the stress producing chemicals in your body which can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. You will feel calmer and more in control.



2. Be positive. Instead of saying or thinking "I can't do this", ask yourself "how can I"? Don't imagine the worst of what might happen, instead focus on the best. Look at what you are good at instead of focusing on what you think you are bad at.



3. Give yourself some timeout. Take a break. Go for a walk around the block or spend a bit of time at the gym. Do some exercise. It will take your mind off whatever problems you are facing and release the tension you are experiencing. Doing this will give the energy and inclination to deal with the responsibilities and problems you face as well as increasing your hormone levels that will help produce calm and happy feelings and keep your blood pressure within normal levels.