In an article that many parents and commenters saw as a cruel joke, the Dailymail, reported today that parenting can lower blood pressure.
The conclusion comes from a study of 198 adults who were fitted with portable blood pressure monitors for 24 hours as they went about their normal lives. Researchers took into account other factors that can influence blood pressure, such as health, age, weight, exercise, employment and drinking history. All other things being equal, the average systolic blood pressure – the top number in a reading – was 4.5 points lower for parents than non-parents.
The diastolic blood pressure – the bottom number in a reading – was three points lower, the scientists reported in the journal Annals of Behavioural Medicine.
Still many parents called the article hogwash, rubbish, and the like. These were surely parents who did not appreciate the healthy aspects of having kids around.
As a parent of two teenagers, you might expect me to also say that the article is garbage. But I won’t. I agree with it. As I see it, having kids caused me to slow down from the fast paced business world I lived in when I was in 20’s. The pressure the compete in clothing, in business, and even with the Joneses was kicked back a notch.
When I had children I began to contemplate how I wanted them to grow up. I put my own wants and desires after my dreams for my children. I began to prioritize every business decision and many personal decisions as well.
I decided that time spent interacting with kids was more important than a well made bed. I also decided that experiences as a family were more important than possessions. This certainly had a calming effect on my life, and probably my blood pressure too.
In short, before kids, I was high strung, busy, and intense. After kids, I became a much calmer, cooler, and happier version of my old self.
Maybe those who don’t believe the study were never wired for kids in the first place.
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