I was at the doctor’s office last week after hearing a lot about the rise of hypertension in women and while waiting for my appointment, I overheard a woman on her phone. “I’m hoping I can get out of here and back to the office by 3 pm so I don’t miss more than an hour of work,” she said.
I understood exactly how she felt like there wasn’t enough time in the day. The exhaustion, the frustration, the anxiety, and the inability to slip away for even an hour without feeling guilty were things I’d struggled with for years.
There was a period when I, too, was unable to be present in my day, and unable to put my health first, for risk of “dropping a ball.” Even worse, I ignored my body’s attempts to say, “I’ve had enough!”. I can’t tell you how many times I forced myself to work through headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue all in favor of “getting more done.” But as I came to find out, all of those warning signs are just your body’s way of asking for help.
Hypertension in Women in Business
For women who are business owners, high blood pressure (hypertension) can be a silent killer. “More than 2 in 5 women have high blood pressure” the CDC warns, “And only 1 in 4 have their blood pressure under control.”
Hypertension in women is one of the most prevalent causes of stroke, and this risk increases with age. Of course, plenty of other factors can contribute to a stroke diagnosis; but even with a healthy diet and plenty of exercises, you could still be at high risk for stroke unless you keep an eye on your blood pressure.
Prioritizing your health with regular checkups, a healthy diet, and exercise are the only way to ensure that your business can flourish. But that can feel easier said than done when you own a small business.
In my experience, the easiest way to make this change is to create a routine that you actively enjoy and to set aside time each day for you.
My personal routine is about two hours every morning before work. I incorporate yoga, meditation, and a protein-rich breakfast that keeps me full until lunch. Your routine should also be tailored to your unique interests and schedule, for maximum effectiveness.
I would never have been able to make a healthy routine for myself if I didn’t first learn to delegate and create white space for myself! Is this something you struggle with too? If so, EVA can help!
Also, I wanted to share this information that I found in a pamphlet at the doctor’s office on Stroke Awareness and hypertension in women. This is life-saving information that everyone should learn about!
To save yourself or others from stroke, you need to B. E. F. A. S. T.
If you remember nothing else from this blog, remember that this could save your life or the life of someone you know!
Thankfully, all of my test results came back normal and I was free to head back to the office. I can only hope the others in the waiting room heard the same news.
Remember, your business’s greatest asset is YOU. So make yourself a priority and keep yourself healthy to prevent hypertension in women!
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