Unhealthy

“Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave.” – Mandy Hale

There are lots of unhealthy things out there: lack of sleep, dehydration, and stress, to name a few. The biggest one, though, is food. 

Remember that saying, “You are what you eat”? That is so true. And before you dismiss that, consider these facts I wasn’t aware of until I had a stroke.

High Blood Pressure is the cause of more than 50% of all strokes worldwide. Think about that for a minute. That’s a huge number. And then add to it that 51% of stroke DEATHS are due to high systolic blood pressure. 

But here’s the biggest of them all:

80% of all strokes can be PREVENTED by controlling blood pressure (below 130/80).(source: National Institute of Health)

Now, before you clean out your refrigerator and buy a truckload of celery, here are some tips on how you can control your blood pressure without medication.

Here’s a link: High Blood Pressure Control. 

Important: Check with your doctor FIRST and make sure this approach is the right one for you.

There are lots of healthy recipes and food choices out there. Look into the DASH diet from the Mayo Clinic. Check out air fryers. Bake instead of frying.  Simple changes that can make a big difference.

But it isn’t just about food. Not sleeping, being overly stressed, not exercising, and not drinking enough water are very unhealthy habits.  I’ll be honest. I don’t like going to a gym.

Crowds and loud music are sensory overload triggers for me. I enjoy walking. I started with a couple of blocks. Then each time I went a little further until I was walking a couple of miles a day.  

I'm not a Size 6 and I doubt I ever will be. But I'm making better choices. Prioritizing my health over things I used to think were so important. I eat better. I sleep better. I keep walking and I've been working in my yard instead of staying indoors.

I’d rather be healthy than end up in the ICU again.

I’ll do whatever it takes not to let that happen.