Have you been looking for some non-drug treatments that may help lower your blood pressure? Talk to your doctor about these options. They may be enough to keep borderline hypertension from going over the line, or, at the very least, help you lower your dosages of prescription meds. (But don’t ever adjust your medication without your doctor’s OK!)

Find a Furry Friend—Just 10 minutes spent with a pet can lower your blood pressure. In fact, if you have borderline hypertension, there’s even a holdover effect: If you spend time with Fido or Fluffy before work, you may be less reactive to blood-pressure-raising stress on the job.

Snack on Celery—Crunching your way through four stalks a day could help ease your blood pressure. A component in celery (3-n-butyl phthalide) serves as a diuretic and vasodilator, and helps relax the muscles lining the blood vessels.

Open Sesame!—Loaded with unsaturated fatty acids and calcium, sesame oil may help you lower blood pressure and reduce your dose of calcium channel blockers. Try downing 2 tablespoons daily for two months, and then have your blood pressure rechecked. If your numbers go down, ask your doctor about cutting down your drug dosage, too.

Hold Hands—Touch lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which constricts blood vessels and bumps up blood pressure. To try this antidote, simply get in close touch with your loved ones today!

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