By Trazana A. Staples
I had a stroke at the age of 51, four and half years ago. A stroke does not discriminate! It can happen to anyone, at any time, and without notice. Although, I am getting better every day, the road to healing has not been easy. I suffered a cryptogenic stroke. I had no known underlying health conditions that could have predetermined a stroke. The conclusion of my stroke was due to stress. Stress is a silent killer! I was managing a small nonprofit organization, I was taking care of others, (physically, mentally, and financially), I was putting out my personal life fires, and I was making myself available for whoever or whatever needed me. I was not making time to take care of myself, mind, body, and/or spirit.
I am here to tell anyone who is reading this today, please take care of yourself first! If you do this for yourselves now you might be able to avoid having a stroke later.
“Stress can work to trigger medical problems or alongside other medical afflictions that cause a stroke. Often stress, when combined with other factors, leads to triggers for disease. “Sometimes stress can cause inflammation, hypertension, or other vascular conditions — and it’s these that can lead to stroke or heart attack.”
(Cleveland Clinic, 2021)
I know now that a few lifestyle changes could have prevented my stroke from occurring and prevented me from another stroke. African Americans are 50 percent more likely to have a stroke (cerebrovascular disease), as compared to their white adult counterparts.
I have learned through my wellness journey that preventative measures can prevent me from having another stroke. By sharing some of this information I have learned, it is my hope to help someone to prevent them from having a stroke. These are just a few things that I do daily to distress my mind, body, and spirit and decrease my chances of having another stroke.
To learn more about alternative strove recovery please visit trazanastaples.com
