While doctors are often eager to prescribe medication to those who have high blood pressure, it is possible to make significant strides towards lowering your levels through natural means.  I have covered the topic of fighting high blood pressure without medicine before, but this article included some great additional suggestions.

Here an additional 6 ways to reduce high blood pressure:

1. Properly manage your drinking

A recent study at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that women could actually reduce their blood pressure through light drinking.  In case you were wondering, “light drinking” is defined as a quarter to a half a drink.  So forget breaking out a 6-pack!  Other studies have supported the idea that a moderate amount of drinking can lower heart disease risks.

2. Quit caffeinated coffee

Duke University recently found that about 3 cups of coffee a day increased blood pressure.  Caffeine can raise your blood pressure if you're sensitive to it.  Not only can it amplify stress, it can also constrict blood pressure.  If you decide to switch to decaf coffee, just make sure that it is naturally decaffeinated.  Otherwise chemicals are used in the decaffeination process that can be harmful.

3. Drink hibiscus tea

One tea that has been extremely beneficial in lowering blood pressure is hibiscus tea.  Researchers at Tufts said that 3 cups of this tea was on par with many medications in its ability to lower systolic blood pressure.  You can find hibiscus as an ingredient in many herbal teas.

4. Consider if snoring could be the issue

It you have high blood pressure, it is important to make sure that you don’t have sleep apnea.  Loud snores are often a sign that a person has OSA or obstructive sleep apnea.  Researchers estimate that half of people with sleep apnea have high blood pressure.  If you find out that this is indeed the case, treating sleep apnea may improve your blood pressure levels.

5. Try to work less

It is no surprise that overworking can lead to high blood pressure.  A study from University of California, Irvine showed that if you work more than 41 hours a week it could raise your risk of hypertension by 15%.

6. Incorporate music into your routine

Listening to music can be very relaxing and bring your blood pressure down. In a study by the University of Florence in Italy, people who were being treated for high blood pressure were exposed to soothing music for 30 minutes.  Their systolic readings reduced approximately 3.2 points in just a week.