Caroline Huard, WED | With urgent work emails, busy lives and long commutes. It’s no wonder many people suffer from chronic stress state. The main signs of this stress are stomach problems, tension headaches, all around melancholy and aches. Sounds like you?
There is a quick antidote to the day to day stress. It’s not only cost-efficient, effective and all natural but can also be done anywhere: exercise. Countless studies have shown activity to reduce anxiety and depression effectively. Any exercise from yoga to aerobics helps in minimizing stress. It is a universal remedy that you should include in your daily schedule; otherwise, you will be missing out.
Exercise and stress reduction
Exercise improves the overall well-being as well as the health. It brings these direct benefits:
It enhances self-confidence – exercise helps in improving your atonement and also weight loss which improves self esteem. Practice makes you have a better sense of control which lowers the stress and anxiety feelings. A better physical body translates to a mental satisfaction. The repetitive exercise motion helps you to start focusing more on yourself hence concentrate less on your worries. This, in return, brings a positive impact to your self confidence.
Pumps up the endorphins – physical activity increases the production of the brains neurotransmitters known as endorphins. Although it’s a runner’s high function, a nature hike or tennis brings the same feeling. That energy and charming feel that you get after a workout occur as a result of endorphins. A study conducted by and published by the Scandinavian journal of science and medicine reports that the people who walk a lot are less tensed, more enthusiastic and more relaxed compared to the dormant people.
Relaxes body muscle – Majority of people have found that concentrating on the repetitive muscle movements clears their minds from the daily life stresses. According to a research done by national institute health library, a quick mental improvement comes from the aerobic exercises like jogging , cycling, jogging and walking. Taking a session of three sessions lasting for 20 minutes each works wonders in lessening both stress and tension.
Improves mood – routine exercise increases self-esteem. It also makes you sleep better. It’s advisable to rest in a proper mattress after the workout. SleepingCulture.com provides a variety of mattresses, check out their website. This It makes you feel more relaxed and lowers both depression and anxiety. Your social interaction rises to a higher level when your mood is right. Consider becoming more participant in the gym, or any fitness group in your workplace. If you like working out alone, at least smile or wave the next gym member or jogger as this helps in enhancing a positive feeling
Exercise is meditation – practice merely is like meditating in a moving posture. Meditation gives the brain an opportunity of clearing the information that overloads it. Meditation does reduce not only the stress levels but also allows free air circulation in the lungs. The attention gets diverted from the negative thought that lowers you down. Instead of having a million directions on the mind, exercise makes it easy for you to finish the session with a renewed energy. Exercise brings healthy changes in the body, just like meditation hence getting rid of the mental chaos that causes stress.
A useful exercise program starts with these steps
Walk before you start running- increase your body fitness level slowly. The excitement that comes a time when you are about to begin your new exercise session can make you injure yourself. For the healthy adults, the human health department services recommend a 150munutes extended aerobic activity in a week (Swimming or walking). For the vigorous activities, 75minutes in a week is the recommended timing; a combination of the two can also be done.
Consult your doctor – If you have stayed for a long time without doing some exercise; inform your doctor before you kick off the program.
Perform what you love – Almost all types of exercise and movements increase the body fitness level and reduce stress. Select the activity that you enjoy most. For example, you can try jogging, climbing, weightlifting, swimming or stair climbing.
Ultimately, stress gets heightened by emotional responses hence external stimuli is the best method of stopping it. Maintain a regular exercise schedule, and it will play a significant role in stress management. Your body mood will also be at ease. Take this step and experience an active lifestyle with less tension and stress.
