We all know that exercise is great for our health and also to help bring some relief to our life stress, but sometimes we just find it difficult to fit it into our daily routine. Just the thought of trying to figure out where we can actually fit it in to our already busy schedules, can actually add to our life stress!
But, hold on a second , virtually any form of exercise, even a few minutes a day, can help reduce our stress levels. A little exercise can go a long way towards our stress management. Whether it be aerobics, yoga, stretching or light walking, it can increase our overall health and well-being.
Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates production of feel-good chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. Let’s take a look at the many benefits of exercise and the great reasons as to why we should add it to our lives as part of our health and stress management:
- It pumps up our endorphins – physical activity increases the production of our brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins.
- It reduces negative effects of stress – leads to positive effects in the body including cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems. Helps protect the body from harmful effects of stress.
- It is meditation in motion – while exercising we tend to forget our day’s irritations as we concentrate on our body movements. With this newfound energy and optimism, we stay calmer and are more focused on everything we need to accomplish.
- Improves your mood – increases self-confidence, helps us relax, lowers symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also improve sleep, which is often disrupted by these moods.
- Helps with weight loss – exercise is important for supporting a faster metabolism and burning more calories per day. It also helps maintain muscle mass and weight loss.
- Good for muscles and bones – helps release hormones that proote the ability of your muscles to absorb amino acids. This help them grow and reduce decline.
- Increases energy levels – engaging in phsyical activity can be a real boost to increased energy and helps fight fatigue, mentally and physically.
- Can reduce risk of chronic disease – it has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness and body composition, yet decreases blood pressure and blood fat levels.
- Can help skin health – free radicals in the body can deteriorate the skin. Exercise can stimulate blood flow and induce skin cell adaptations that can help delay the aging process.
- Helps with brain health and memory – it increases the heart rate, which promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Assists with mental functioning and helps maintain healthy brain structure and growth of brain cells.
- Pain reduction – has favourable effects on pain that is associated with various conditions. It can also increase pain tolerance.
So, as you can see, regular exercise offers incredible benefits that can improve nearly every aspect of your health, inside and out. Important to remember, learn to walk before you run. Build up your fitness plan gradually. Any form of exercise or movement can increase your fitness levels while reducing your stress. Pick an activity which you enjoy and you will be more successful at following through with it more regularly.
Most importantly, learn to pencil it in to your life. By making time for it, you will benefit greatly from a regular routine. Not only will you gain strength, confidence and improved health, but it will help you unwind from a busy day while becoming an important part of reducing your life stress.
