Exercise: The Best Stress Relief:

Stress is a fact of life, but it can be a double-edged sword. In small amounts, it can increase alertness and efficiency. But when you are under constant pressure, it can be a significant loss.

Chelsea Day, a sports psychologist at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says: “We have this incredibly stressful system in the body, equipped to turn it on and off when it’s needed.” And it’s great when you’re trying to avoid a predator, as our ancient ancestors could. But it is less surprising when it is constantly mobilized by the pressures of modern society, such as a never ending complete email inbox or bad traffic.

Have you reached a pinch of ice cream in stressful days? If so, you are doubly damaging your body. Start exercising instead It is a powerful stress reliever. Here are 9 exercises to overcome this stress. Also, do you know the symptoms of stress? Take our quiz to find out …

Stress is not just a mental or emotional problem – it can hurt physically.

Chronic stress is the culprit behind both long term conditions (depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension) and everyday health problems (headache, back pain, insomnia, stomach upset, anxiety, anger).

You know that exercise is good for your body, but you are too busy and stressed to fit it into your routine. Hold on a second – this is good news when it comes to exercise and stress.

Practically any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can work as a stress reliever. If you are not an athlete or even if you are out of shape, you can still go a long way towards managing stress with a little exercise. Discover the link between exercise and stress management – and why exercise should be part of your stress management plan.

Some experts say that strenuous exercise, such as high-intensity intro training, can help you build mental strength, which can allow you to cope with stress and other challenges. Just ask Chris Stackle, founder of the Mind Body Project, a fitness studio in New York that combines HIIT and meditation into a 50-minute class. Stackle found HIIT helpful during his personal battle with stress and anxiety. “It’s so physically difficult that it actually forces my brain to stop thinking too much and focus on the laser on the work at hand. It makes me feel fully present,” Stackle said.

Why it works to reduce stress: Yoga posture is a form of strength training that makes you more flexible and resilient, resulting in less physical stress. It also uses deep breathing, which stimulates the body’s relaxed response.

Studies show that yoga also lowers blood pressure.

But perhaps the greatest benefit of yoga is the mental focus that promotes it. Attention is the key to stress management.

Noel Schroeder, a Boston-based yoga teacher and creator of Notes Your Experience DVD (yinward.com), says that poses require concentration, “instead of analyzing your mind, planning and thinking.” Focuses on your work. ”

How to do it: Yoga classes for people of all ages, temperaments and fitness levels abound in gyms, studios and community colleges.

Exercise that can help reduce stress.

HIIT

The thing about HIIT exercises is that they are intense but fast, making them perfect for fitting tight schedules. Another benefit when it comes to stress is that strenuous exercise for a short period of time requires a lot of attention, which prevents you from thinking about what is putting pressure on you, as Stackle did. Written above

Bryna Carracino, a fitness trainer and founder of Rehab NYC, says, “The way you move keeps your brain strong, which counteracts stress.”

For stress management, Carracino prefers exercises that focus on conditioning the body versus those that require you to count reps, such as temporary HIIT breaks. “So the brain can truly focus on the moment. Using active pieces of equipment such as kettle bells, dumbbells, TRX straps puts the body in a more appropriate environment,” says Carracino. Proprioception is the ability to sense your own body position and movements. “The more the body stays there, the better the cognitive health,” says Kiracino.

Tai Chi

Why it works to reduce stress: Derived from an ancient Chinese martial art, tai chi (also called tai chi chuan) combines physical activity with breathing.

Often referred to as “meditation in motion”, tai chi promotes a focus on the state of mind – a state of mind in which everyday worries go away.

Tai Chi also increases flexibility and increases energy, resulting in a better sense of well-being.

Other benefits include better balance, more restful sleep and increased cardiovascular health.

 

How to do it: Tai Chi consists of more than 100 gentle, fluid movements that are connected to each other and to your breath. Unlike yoga, there is no gap between poses. Like yoga, there are many styles of tai chi that are intense.

Many senior centers, wellness centers and community colleges offer classes. To get started at home, try the DVD step by step tai chi with Tiffany Chen.

Strenth trainingg

A 2020 study found that strength training on a regular basis has a positive effect on anxiety levels and anxiety symptoms in young adults. There is ample evidence to show that exercise in general makes you happier and promotes better mental health, but this study focuses specifically on strength training, which tells us about it. Explains how different types of exercise can affect your brain.

“Any form of strenuous exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain,” says Stockell. “More specific for strength training, a body weight and / or weight strength program has been shown to help build self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax and improve your sleep. “It simply came to our notice then.

Science says exercise can help reduce stress and boost your mood. What is considered fun or relaxing may vary from person to person, so add elements of fun or saddle to any workout, depending on what works for you. ۔ For example, a dance class may be fun for one person, but troublesome for another.