High blood pressure: Four easy ways to get more exercise and lower your blood pressure - Express

High blood pressure affects more than a quarter of the British population.

People with the condition are advised to keep fit and healthy by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise, in order to lower their blood pressure.

But it can be hard to squeeze in regular visits to the gym when leading a busy lifestyle and having to juggle multiple tasks each day.

These four tips can help you to add more exercise into your daily routine and ensure healthy blood pressure.

Walk more each day

Walking more during the course of the day is a simple and easy way to get more exercise without having to make a special effort to go to the gym.

Ditch the car for short journeys and, if you can, try walking to work. If you take the bus to work, get off one stop earlier and walk the last part of the journey.

While at work, get away from your desk and go for a walk during your lunch break. This will give you a break from the working environment, as well as an opportunity to stretch your legs.

If you have a pet dog, extend the length of the walks you take it out on to get that extra bit of exercise into your day.

Cycle instead of driving

Try cycling to and from work and the local shops instead of driving. Cycling is a great form of exercise and will also provide you with some extra fresh air.

Take the stairs

Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator. Those extra steps are an easy way to boost fitness levels and add some simple exercise into your day.

Research local activities

Think about physical activities you enjoy, such as swimming or sports, and see if you can participate in them at a local centre.

This can be a fun way to get more exercise while providing an opportunity to socialise and meet new people.

“In general our lives are much less active than they used to be,” said Blood Pressure UK.

“More of us have desk jobs, we use cars and public transport to get around, and we have lots of labour-saving devices in our homes.”

“You don’t have to join the gym to become more active.”

“If the idea of ‘doing exercises’ isn’t for you, why not try being more active in your day-to-day life?”

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