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Dodge7
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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 Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:15 am Post subject: Re: I have Hypertension Now--Stress at the Workplace |
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| sml7285 wrote: |
| Dodge7 wrote: |
| 12ax7 wrote: |
| sml7285 wrote: |
| Dodge7 wrote: |
I work at an after school and for those that do can understand those kids turn a deaf ear to you a lot of times despite you yelling at them to sit down, pay attention, do your work, etc. It stresses me out and on the other hand I could just say, "well I get paid either way if they learn or not," but that's not me--I have to be accountable to the parents I see everyday picking up their kids and ensuring them I'm doing all that I can to teach their kids, and I also have to be accountable to myself and my conscience.
I have become inaudible and invisible most times throughout to many classes and my stress has gone though the roof. It probably doesn't help that I've been teaching the same kids for 2 1/2 years. Maybe I need a change of scenery.
Anyway, I recently had a bad headache (only on one side of my head) in the middle of class this week, with pain and pressure behind my right eye and felt dizzy, sweaty and confused. I thought I was having a freaking stroke right there in the middle of class. I had to walk to the bathroom and splash water on my face. It was kind of scary.
It is absolutely due to stress I believe. I feel depressed because I hate my job but I'm stuck here because my wife has a great job here and I have a baby on the way. I'm 31 year old.
Anyway, I told my wife about it and she insisted I stop with her at the doctor's after work. So I did.
My blood pressure was 150/90 at the doctor's office. It's never been that high, I was always 120's/70's back home. I do weigh 100 kilos though, but I'm tall. I wouldn't say that I'm fat, but could lose 10 kg or so.
Anyway, this kind of freaked me out and the doc put me on some blood pressure pills to get it down. And all the while I'm thinking, "are these kids and occupation even worth all this--my health for God's sake?" It's just gotten to the point each day after the first 2 classes I feel the headache creeping at the door waiting to come out unless I pull back the exertion on my body and voice.
Anyway, keep alert on your blood pressure, we don't need anyone blowing an artery and having a stroke over this profession. One of the most stressful professions (if you take your job seriously and want to make a difference) out there. There's just something about the way kids ignore me even though I'm right in their face that sends my blood pressure through the roof. Sometime I feel why should I even bother and just give them hidden pictures worksheets to do all day. |
You weigh in the neighborhood of 230 lbs - unless you're in the neighborhood of around 6'6", this is pretty high. You're also not in your 20's anymore. Stress may contribute a bit, but I've always found that excuse to be a red herring. Lose 30-40 lbs and I guarantee you'll be back down to the 120-130 blood pressure range. |
Yes, don't blame the kids for your stress, blame the decisions you make which affect your health. |
Thanks, I'll just accept the fact that I'm few pounds overweight and that's the ONLY reason my blood pressure is high, 12ax7. I'll just also neglect the fact that I was 120/80 back home 2 years ago at the same weight. Didn't know the day your turn 30 you add 30 points to your blood pressure. WOW!
You're clueless if you think stress has nothing to do with blood pressure. And everyone and their bodies relate to stress in different ways.
That's very ignorant to suggest it's all about my weight and has nothing to do with the stress of my job and the daily annoyances of living in Korea and its affect it has on my stress and subsequent (on and off) depression.
Yes, I should learn better ways to deal with that stress, that I know, but to suggest it's all because of my weight is flat out wrong.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5132210.stm |
Stress has not been shown to raise blood pressure in the long term. If your blood pressure is high, I'm willing to bet that your cholesterol levels are also higher than normal.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Stress-and-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301883_Article.jsp
Source: American Heart Association
Do you smoke or drink regularly? Do you exercise? |
I actually just gave up drinking (today) hopefully it'll be for good. Before, I would binge drink twice a week (1 bottle of Soju mixed with beer (so-mek)). And I smoke about 4-5 cigarettes a day (hopefully will quit soon, but this may be the hardest yet to quit) and I don't really exercise. BUT the wife bought a exercise bike and I did 15 minutes on it today and hopefully will continue to do more and more each day.
I admit that my diet and lack of exercise contributed to my overall blood pressure. But I thoroughly believe living and working in Korea contributed at least 50% of it. |
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bojangles
Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Location: south jeolla
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:16 am Post subject: diet |
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stop drinking coffee& soft drinks, exercise regularly, reduce meat/fast-food/junk-food intake, increase fruit and vegetable intake,...exercise regularly,...drink lots of water,..take vitamin supplements...exercise regularly...its not the kids, the culture, the language, the rudeness, the madness....it's you!
If that doesn't work then it might just be the air pollution!! God knows what we're breathing in over here.
sorry if you've heard any or all of this already...
also check out this dude...he's top notch when it comes to diet...
www.garynull.com |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:31 am Post subject: |
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Tough Love: Blaming everyone else but yourself for bad health is often what causes one to develop bad health in the first place. That also can contribute to stress.
Seriously, every single red flag for hypertension you have- Binge drinking, smoking, overweight, and mediocre diet. Those are the first 4 things that doctors check before they even ask about stress. At some point simple biology takes over.
That being said, a bad situation can exacerbate what is being built up already and dealing with 20 rugrats at a crapwon isn't likely to help. And like someone said, the air pollution is not good. And stay away from the salty Korean food. Also, the flip side is always blaming yourself which leads to stress so obviously its important to find a happy medium.
But loving or hating the place has little to do with your BP. Apologist me has pre-hypertension. I love this place and have low stress, but guess what? I have an inconsistent diet, drink too much, don't exercise enough, and used to smoke.
Do see a doctor. A real one, not the 3rd rate medical guy at the local grungy hospital. Take a look at some meds. It sucks, but its better than having your heart explode.
But yes, some things are our fault. We aren't perfect. We can own up to it and lie to ourselves and enjoy the consequences of our SO helping us go to the bathroom at age 42 because of our first stroke. Or we can change. But one must be honest and be willing to accept the distinct possibility that they themselves are responsible for the problems that exist. |
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