EXERCISE REDUCES YOUR STRESS

NEXT: STRESS MANAGEMENT IS A SKILLSET

Daily exercise reduces your stress

Exercise is a great stress reducer. Many people say that their worries dissipate during exercise. It can help us to clear our heads and give us fresh perspective. Exercise improves both physical fitness and brain health. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. In other words; exercise relieves us from stress and also makes us happier.

Can exercise cause more stress?

Vigorous exercise puts some stress on our bodies during the period of exercise itself. Afterwards however, it helps us to feel more relaxed. Exercise is an important part of good stress management. The time of day you exercise is important and you have to find what works for you. If you notice your exercise routine inhibits your ability to fall asleep at night, try doing your exercise earlier in the day. On days where that is not possible you can do lighter forms of exercise. Examples are restorative yoga, a walk or an easy bike ride. The same holds true on days you feel very tired: always listen to your body and adjust your exercise accordingly.

Exercise and its benefits:

A healthy exercise regime incorporates training that improves mobility, muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. Try to find find time every day to do some exercise. It’s good to vary your exercise. Find out what works best for you whether that be running, cycling, swimming, yoga or perhaps a team sport. Exercising with a friend or partner can be more fun and also help with consistency. In addition to your exercise, try to walk every day for at least 40 minutes. Walking is a great stress reducer and helps clear your head.

Some examples:

• Strength training improves your mobility, bone density and overall strength. Try doing it at least twice a week.

• Running or jogging boosts confidence, improves your immune system, and fights depression.

• Cycling improves heart/lung function, and it strengthens the legs. It can be a good alternative to running or jogging.

• Swimming is a great total body workout that uses all of our large muscle groups. It’s easier on our joints than running or jogging.

• Yoga improves your mobility, balance and breathing. Yoga improves mindfulness and reduces stress.

Do you experience difficulties with your exercise routine or stress management in general?

If you struggle with making changes to your routine, we encourage you to study these 11 habits. They will show you how you can incorporate new things into your routine.