Look after yourself
Had a life-changing experience last Thursday. I had my blood pressure checked for the first time in five years. Always thought I was fit and healthy. I exercise, don’t smoke, drink only at EFL conferences and watch what I eat.
But then I keep forgetting my profession, for all that’s great about it, is usually in the top 5 of the world’s most stressful jobs. More on why in a later post.
When the nurse read my blood pressure reading and asked me what medication I was on I was a little surprised. “None,” I said. She told me my BP was 175/104. Those numbers meant little to me but I wanted to know more after another nurse, a nutritionist and a doctor told me the figures were seriously high. The doc said he’d fast-track me to see a specialist cardiologist.
http://www.edrugsearch.com/edsblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/high-blood-pressure-hypertension.jpg
The first Internet result I looked at on the search “blood pressure 175/104” said: “You shouldn’t be in front of the computer reading this; you should be at the ER.”
I thought about those numbers and how my job, websites and everything related might influence them. I suddenly realized there were many stressful aspects to my life. Work, maintaining 8 websites and wanting to make 18 more, the worry of how much adblocker add-ons and software (another future post) are damaging the future of my sites (and the free web), making conference presentations and workshops, getting blog posts done “on time” etc. etc. etc – things most of you reading this will readily identify with.
I always thought I was indestructible. Being told you have high blood pressure and what the dangers are shattered that illusion.
I spent the weekend having a serious think and immediately changed my life.
Below are some things I hope you think about
Sleep management
Manage to get lots. Go to bed earlier. Wake up later. For years I’ve been getting up way too early (4.45) and going to bed too late. I’ve always thought napping was a waste of time (silly me).
Exercise
It’s vital to good health. I exercise a lot. Wonder what my bp figures would be without it. Join a gym, park as far away from school as possible, walk and tell your colleague upstairs instead of mailing him/her. Get out of that chair in front of that computer.
Eat well
I’ve immediately cut down on salt, started eating walnuts every day and have vowed to say farewell to Ronald and his unhealthy fodder. Packed the supermarket trolley with fruit from all over the world, a kilo of walnuts and oily fish. I do like a nice walnut 
Coffee
Drink less. I had to cough out the number 15 when the nurse asked me how many cups a day I drank. She stared at me. I immediately cut down to two a day and will stop altogether in a few weeks. The nurse said I shouldn’t go from 15 to zero overnight. Day 3 on two cups a day. Don’t miss it. I think I’m sleeping better, but early days.
Say ‘No’
I’ve spent my career saying yes to whatever came along – new courses, promotions, projects, workshops… Naturally, I’ve learnt loads and done lots. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s OK to say no. It gives you more time to spend making other things even better. Saying no can greatly and instantly relieve stress.
Play time
Play more with your students in class. Aim for fun. Whatever the lesson content, it can and should be done with fun. Enjoying your classes more will reduce stress.
Rant
Don’t keep things inside you. If you’re fed up about something, tell someone. A problem shared is a problem halved. There was a laughter club at my old college. I think a rant club might be interesting.
Get out more
All work and no play makes Jack (and Jill) a dull boy (and girl). Nuff said. Get away from that computer.
Think health
Have check-ups more regularly. Especially if you’re the more experienced and wiser side of 39.
Share the love
Spend longer with the ones you love. Hug them more and longer.
A great site for basic info on blood pressure and what the numbers mean – click on the picture below:
Will keep you posted on this post on visits to the cardiologist.
Tags: blood pressure, Health, walnuts
Hi Sean ,
Thanks for great work and great advice ..be healthy and happy
I am in ChiangMai Thailand
Ranting is a must..:))
Sean Banville,
YOU take care of yourself. You’re a good man.
I just realized this post is nearly a year old. I hope you’ve managed to follow up on most of what you’ve written.
Gettng away from the computer is a great thing to do (I’m a small-time online teacher and took this decision about 2 years ago.)
Getting back to the REAL WORLD (soil, plants, food, animals, pets, friends, kids, elders) is a great stress-buster (as supposed to the virtual one of computers, shops, money, TV, telephones, books, internet, electronic music)
Love and regards,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Thank you for your comment and kind words. I’ll be getting back to the real world from February next year. Moving back to Japan and will get back to all the things I love – walking in the Japanese countryside, gardening, kayaking, swimming, sitting in the garden and watching the clouds float past the mountain tops, trying out different eateries, doing some voluntary work… I’m sure stress levels will plummet
Best wishes,
Sean
Thanks Janine – healthy and happy
Chiang Mai is a lovely place to be – Was there in 1991 and loved it.
Hey Sean, we don’t know each other, but I can somewhat identify. Though I never connected it to just my ESL job (there were many other unhealthy things involved), I was very sick about ten years ago (not high blood pressure) and I also went on a healthy program that made a big difference. I have since followed an ancient Indian health system called Ayurveda and eventually took a three-year course in it.
In general, all the things you mention above are right on target. I completely changed my diet, went vegetarian and started cooking my own meals (I found Ayurvedic recipes that don’t take too long). In Ayurveda, food is considered a medicine (for hypertension, garlic is a well known blood thinner). For exercise, you might want to consider yoga (especially gentle, easy yoga focusing on breathing like Pranayama). I stopped alcohol for one year and I use a lot of medicinal teas and herbs.
Rather than go on and on, I’d be happy to consult with you as much as you like (for free of course), in gratitude for your work, so feel free to get in touch.
Thank you for this comment,
I have amended my lifestyle quite a bit, especially food. Doing lots of exercise and sleeping more. I’m waiting to go back to Japan, where I know I’ll be less stressed – Loads of mountains and rice fields for long walks.
Will check out Ayurvedic diets and recipes.
Best wishes,
Sean
Sean, there’s one thing you forgot to mention: meditate (properly). I mean it. You’ll find it works wonders. Check it out.
Would love to be able to meditate – went on a 10-day course in Thailand years ago but didn’t seem to be able to do it. Perhaps I should try again.
Thank you for this excellent suggestion.
Writing about English…
[...]Teaching and Your Health « Sean Banville's Blog[...]…
Oh I completely get you… Last week I was diagnosed with reflux esophagitis, which could have turned into ulcers if I hadn’t spoken up about my stomach pains. Doc didn’t go into how I got it, but there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s from a gruelling teaching load and not being able to eat and sleep at a normal schedule. Changing countries and professions soon, from teaching English in Japan to environmental development work in Cambodia. The job will be more demanding but in a good way, and life is slower in SE Asia. Hoping that will help me. Take care!
Thank you Kerstin,
I have just moved back to Japan (to countryside and the mountains) so I think my stress levels will go down.
You take care too
Hi,
This is a vrey nice post. I had a similar problem where Ialso thought I was fit and healthy until my blood pressure was tested and was found to be too high. I also had to go through lifestyle changes to drop it. I was in the pre-hypertension ranges. One thing that worked almost immediately was cutting out table salt. I saw results almost immediately, but I have to mention that I liked very salty foods.
Take care,