Friday, June 12, 2009

Blogging is good for your health






Four years ago I found out I had Hypertension. I was shocked. I was not even 40 years old and had to go on blood pressure medication. Before I started the meds I was having blood pressure readings of 140/90.... Ok. We all agree that is too high. Well the medication has brought my blood pressure down to normal levels. Last year when I went for my check-up it was 118/90.

Last week I went to my annual doctor's appointment. Just the family practitioner NOT the other fun appointment we women get to make every year. This year when they took my blood pressure it was 99/60. I couldn't believe it. That was super low for me. I took my blood pressure myself at the pharmacy grocery store the next day and it was 108/60. Still low and out of the teens.

SO, I got to thinking.....

What is different in my life that would make my blood pressure go down????


Nothing has really changed in my life... and trust me, I haven't changed my diet. Still love fried food and drink soft drinks with sugar (no diet drinks for me), put salt on my food, but I do exercise moderately (extremely moderately).


So nothing has really changed.


I came up with the only logical explanation....



BLOGGING.





I started my blog last June. I think blogging is a good release for me of all the things that are going on in my head. I don't verbalize my thoughts very well, but I can sit down and type out post and it helps me process thru things sometimes (even when I never hit "publish") I know my blog is pretty generic as far as theme goes. I don't have anything major going on in my life. I pretty much just blog about my family, my faith and the ways I like to try and be frugal and "green". I'll throw in politics now and then, so it must be helping me to be a calmer person.
So there you go...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Buster is not buying this conclusion, but I am now convinced that blogging is good for my health.



20 comments:

Gombojav Tribe said...

AMEN! I believe it. At least blogging must be good for mental health! I live in a zoo and am not in therapy! LOL!!

Laura said...

I'm not sure it's good for my hips!

Congratulations on the low blood pressure.

Laura

Susan said...

Oh I buy it 100%!!!! Truly, I think the ability to put our thoughts into a concrete form, instead of just impulses in our head is very good for all of us. In Blogging we just share a lot of our "journaling" with others.
Susan

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Joy, I started blogging in 2006. George did not.. However, he read in one of his health magazines that blogging is VERY good for you health SO--he started blogging also.

YES---it is definitely good for your health.
Hugs,
Betsy

Joyfulsister said...

Amen on the comment about the hips lol... Joy the same thing happened to me as far my blood pressure, I had to go on meds cause it was too high, than when I went on the meds it got too low lol go figure huh ???. Well I'm not on any meds now, hmmm I think blogging. poetry, and journaling helps me to vent. I love your blog and *U* my Sistah.. Thank you for your help, the code worked!!

Hugz Lorie

Berni said...

You may be right but I am trying to do more exercise and less blogging or sitting in front of the computer. I would rather sit in front of the computer. I am on blood pressure pills too and I am usually 108/70 but before that it was 210/110 and I was told I could have had a stroke so thank God for medication.

Tracy P. said...

Totally!

We were at a museum today where there was a game that tested your ability to relax by measuring your brain waves and your opponent's. I was undefeated.

Brenda said...

That's great to know. Glad it has helped you health!
ot - my hotmail is down right now otherwise I'd email you, but thanks for the head's up on the bat situation. I'm certain that it didn't bite her, thank God!
Happy weekend.

Betty said...

I wish it had the same effect on me. I have been taking med´s for my blood pressure for a long time (hereditary) and I haven´t noticed a difference... :) But I´m glad it works for you!
What it does though is make me calmer and hubby is thankful for that.... :)

Cicero Sings said...

I often find it easier to write things than to talk. It makes you really think about what is rolling around in your head.

Glad your blood pressure is down. Are you able to go off of the meds or reduce them? I have super low blood pressure!

Shelley in SC said...

No, Buster just will not understand the release of tension that a woman getting her thoughts out can give!! Some women have to get their thoughts out verbally to an understanding and patient ear and some do better with a keyboard and screen or pencil and paper. But either way, getting those thoughts out has got to be a healthy thing to do . . . and you proved it : )!!

Melody said...

I'm so excited for you about your lowered blood pressure! That is so awesome!

Brenda said...

It probably is good for you to get your thoughts on paper, it probably helps to destress. I feel like it does that for me anyway.

Lulu and Co. said...

I totally believe it! Blogging your thoughts, letting your voice be heard and relax reading other blogs is just what the doctor ordered!!!
so happy to hear your blood pressure is lower,
LuLu

Tricia said...

Great news that your blood pressure dropped. I just started medicine this year.

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I believe it!!!

I'm glad you BP went down and it was a great doctor's visit!!

C. JoyBell C. said...

I think that blogging is a release for you, in sorts of ways...I also feel that about Facebook. It's nice when you can air out things in your status updates and stuff, and so it doesn't stay stuck in your heart. You type, and it's not stuck in your heart anymore! :))

Ronnica said...

Haha, that's awesome! I always knew blogging was a good idea!

Warren Baldwin said...

I linked here from Karin's site. I am willing to consider that blogging is good for health since I too have slightly high blood pressure. I just started blogging in March, so I'll be looking for some improvement here in a couple of months!

Karin said...

I know I'm a little late - but I agree!