My Going for Zero Lesson: Stress Really Does Make a Difference

This is a sponsored post

This is my final post for the Going for Zero Campaign (Zero Heart Attacks, Zero Strokes) with Omron Healthcare.  I have done many collaborations, but none that has affected me as much as this one.  It has been eye opening to register my blood pressure at home on a regular basis, and has resulted in much needed lifestyle changes.

I confessed to you recently about the stress levels in my previous job.  But, I honestly did not realize how much that situation was affecting my health.  While I was working in that environment, I began to work on this collaboration.   I was deeply concerned at the high readings and saw I was headed toward a visit to the doctor and potential medication.  At that point, I still connected the high readings solely to my weight and food choices. It was yet another reminder that I needed to commit once and for all to healthier, cleaner eating.

However, the stress in a toxic work environment continued to grow.  I was unhappy, not sleeping, and not caring for myself.  I knew I needed a change and made the choice to do just that.  What blew me away was that within one week of leaving my last job, my readings changed dramatically.  In seven days, I went from 142/90 to 113/52.   They have continued to be in the lower range since I left.  My old job was literally killing me.

What changes did I make in that one week?  Here is my REM plan…

  1. REST – After knowing I was officially away from the job, I rested and slept more.
  2. EAT – I did eat healthier and was no long eating at a desk. I ate out less.  I also need to make sure my salt intake is smaller.
  3. Move – I increased my activity level at the gym and hope to keep it going.  In my new job, I have been moving more.  It is a company which asks employees to get up and walk 20 minutes a day apart from lunch and regular breaks.

Now, as I am in a new job situation, I will continue to use my Omron Evolv to make sure I stay on top of my blood pressure.  I will implement my new REM plan and use my readings as a way to know if I am being successful with controlling stressful situations.  I am so glad to have the machine at home so it is easier to gauge the readings and watch how blood pressure is affecting me. I know me…I would not have stopped by the grocery or drug store to take the readings. Having this at home made a huge difference in my own personal healthcare.  This is how I plan to keep the strokes and heart issues at a zero level….stay on top of it this time.

I really do want to encourage any of you who tend to have higher readings  to see your doctor and  to get an Omron Evolv for your home and take care of yourself.  I had no idea what stress was doing inside of me….make sure you are not making the same mistake.  Turn it around now.

Thanks to Omron Healthcare for including me in this project.

KEEP SMILING AND STAY HEALTHY, EVERYONE!

Please Note:

The Omron EVOLV® is the latest Omron innovation which is a portable, wireless upper-arm blood pressure monitor that is clinically validated for accuracy and has received FDA clearance. It is a sleek one-piece upper arm unit with no tubes or wires. The EVOLV is also equipped with Bluetooth technology which allows the device to seamlessly sync with the Omron Connect App to store, track and share data.

Omron Healthcare, Inc. is the global category leader in personal heart health and wellness technology, with a heritage of over 40 years. Omron is the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended home blood pressure monitor brand on the market, and the brand is known for its clinically-validated accuracy.  Cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death, and stroke is the top cause of adult disability in the U.S., with high blood pressure being the leading risk factor for both these conditions.

 

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post and I am compensated as a brand ambassador, but the words are my own

14 Comments

  1. Wow!What fabulous news that your blood pressure has lowered and your new job has been positive for you.Congratulations!

  2. Well Pam, I work in a highly toxic environment too and have often joked with co-workers that my job is taking years off my life. It’s not a joke though. I do know from reading that stress is a HUGE factor in overall health and I know this job is really not good for me. I appreciate your honesty about your own work experience because it is helping me to see this in a new way. Change doesn’t happen overnight though. I know I will be here until I retire for a number of reasons. Therefore, I must look at it and treat it differently. I can’t let the environment control me as I was doing. I mentally “step away” more often now and have dropped the notion that I need to be perfect and be everything to everybody. That’s interesting about not crossing your legs or ankles when taking blood pressure readings! Sure wasn’t aware of that one! Thank you for these eye-opening posts and for reminding us to put ourselves first with our health.

  3. Karen, I think awareness is the most important thing. If I knew what I know now and was still at the job, I would have immediately made some changes. It is great that I am out of the environment but you, and others, are not able to make that leap…so do what you are doing and just choose to make some changes within it so you stay healthy. You already said you are walking during work…and sometimes we have to decide to not let the toxic people affect us. Just focus on other things when those people are doing their toxic thing to people around them. Something else that helped me previously was a sense of humor. When things got particularly bad, I would look at them with a comedic eye…might sound weird, but it helped me to smile not to take them so seriously. I hope this will be a reminder that YOU MATTER, and put your health at the top of the priority list.

  4. I actually wrote a sitcom in my mind using these characters as the story! It got to be really funny! Have a good day, Karen!

  5. Your dedication to your gym routine is inspiring. Readers should check with doctors and health insurance plans to see if it is covered. My husband, who is taking blood pressure medication, received an Omron monitor free through his insurance plan based on a doctor’s letter. He uses it daily.

  6. The 20 minute walk you mentioned above, in regards to the company,is so positive. I believe the employees will be more productive and positive. It’s a win-win for all.

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