Get adequate sleep. Sleeping at least 8 hours a day has many health benefits. Getting to bed early and having the room dark is important. During sleep the biological systems associated with stress are turned off, including a decrease in the sympathetic nervous system and a fall in uric acid levels. At the same time beneficial hormones, such as the anti-oxidant, melatonin, are released from the brain. This allows the body to relax, resulting in a dilation of the blood vessels and a fall in blood pressure.
