Exercise: The Ultimate Stress-Reliever
It could have been the result of
getting a new job, a new mate or a new baby, but yo u’re feeling
overwhelmed with excitement. Yet, you also feel inadequate as
well. As a result, you’re under a tremendous amount of stress,
so much so that at times, you feel as if there's no relief in
sight — as if you're on a treadmill that shows no signs of
slowing down anytime soon.
However, the secret
to effectively dealing with the stress may be to get your body
onto an actual treadmill. Exercise has been
effectively show to be one of the keys to relieving stress.
It's an obvious antidote to fatigue, in fact, it can make you
feel more energetic, improving your strength and
resiliency. Exercise has been shown people who are
more physically fit usually experience fewer health
troubles. In addition, exercisers are less likely to
suffer from psychological problems such as depression, binge
eating, or insomnia.
Without exercise, you’re
increasing the likelihood that you’ll be afflicted with colds,
flu or other medical problems. Aerobic exercise in particular
can improve your cardiovascular system and decrease your
anxiety level. Some studies have shown that, during aerobic
exercise, a chemical is produced in the brain which helps to
heal the body from stress-related conditions. You
should exercise at least three days a week for 30 minutes at a
time in order to improve not only your health but your mental
outlook.
If you find yourself lacking the
motivation to exercise, there are a number of steps you can
take. To start, you could join an exercise club since knowing
you'll have to pay dues to a gym give you the motivation to
actually get out and do some exercising.
You could also
consider enlisting the aid of a personal trainer. A trainer
can provide powerful motivation, pushing you to complete
exercises you never thought you could possibly do. Another
idea is to join an exercise class where you'll meet other
people who are in a similar position. The camaraderie that
develops between exercisers can help to reduce your stress
level.
Generally speaking, exercise should make
you feel less anxious. Your muscles become less tense
and you’ll be less shaky after a round of exercise. It’s also
been proven that exercise leads to an hour and a half to two
hours of relaxation response, also referred to as the
endorphin response. As a result, your mood will improve,
enabling you to deal more effectively with
stress.
Exercise can also improve your
self-image. You'll experience greater self-worth,
which will, as a result, reduce your stress level. A confident
person is someone who knows how to handle stress without
becoming flustered. As a result of exercise, you may also end
up eating better. Your improved eating habits could also prove
to be a stress reliever. For instance, if you give up
caffeinated drinks, this can help you to become less
jittery.
In addition to your sessions in the gym, you
should be looking for additional opportunities to exercise,
such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to
work instead of driving, or playing touch football in the
backyard with your children. The point is to get moving-and
keep moving-at every available opportunity.
Exercise
quickens the blood flow to your mind, offering the brain
additional sugars and oxygen which can be important if you’re
trying to concentrate. Exercise also clears out waste
products from the brain which can result in unclear thinking
and it helps give you a greater sense of
well-being.
It clear that exercise is
beneficial for both the body and the mind. As a result, it can
relax you when other techniques fail. By engaging in regular
exercise, you free up your mind, enabling you to concentrate
better and work more efficiently.
Chances are you’ll
not only feel better, you’ll look better as well. With your
brain under control, you should experience less stress.
Granted, exercise takes time and requires discipline, but it’s
well worth the exertion. The good feelings you get from a
powerful exercise session can actually last for days. You may
find that you actually start to look forward to working out
because of the tremendous benefits it brings.
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