Stress has become part of our daily lives. But instead of succumbing to it, there is a simple way of conquering it – and that is through exercise. In this post, Stop Worrying and Start Moving – Exercises to Help You with Stress and Anxiety, we help provide some ways to reduce stress and improve overall health!
It can be challenging how you can insert exercise given our busy schedules but with its enormous health benefits physically, mentally and emotionally, this exercise is something that shouldn’t take the backseat.
Stop Worrying and Start Moving
So, if you’re planning to address stress head-on, then try to make time for exercise as it is a good stress reliever.
Exercise and Stress Relief
Here are some of the stress-busting benefits of exercise:
1. It helps you release happy hormones.
These happy hormones are called endorphins. When you do exercise, it increases the production of endorphins – your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters.
2. It’s meditation in motion.
When you are doing exercise, it helps you focus on it and forget your irritations of the day. It can also serve as an outlet to let out your frustrations.
If you’re stressed at work, hit that rocket hard. If you need to breathe, take a walk. If you need to relax, take a swim lap. Focusing on the exercise helps you divert your attention and convert your negative energies into positive ones.
3. It improves your mood.
If you are consistent with your exercise, it can help you develop your self-confidence. It can also help you relax and sleep better. Doing exercise is also known to lower the symptoms related to mild depression and anxiety since it disrupts the negative cycle. With exercise, you can feel in control of your body, and that will make you feel better.
How to Get Started:
Consult your doctor
It would be best to consult your doctor first, especially if you have some underlying health concerns. The doctor can advise you on what exercise is more suitable for you.
Walk before you run.
If you are someone who hasn’t done any exercise for a long time, it would be best to take things slow. If you overdo it on your first try, there is a tendency that you’ll tend not to do it again. Exercise is for relaxing and not more stress, so don’t overdo it.
For healthy adults, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise is recommended per week.
Do what you love
This is very important because as a stress-relieving activity, you must see exercise as something you enjoy doing, and not as a chore. You should pick an activity that will make you feel better and reinvigorated.
Be consistent
Whatever time you do it in a day, make sure to make time to do exercise every day.
What Exercise Fits You Best?
As mentioned earlier, it is essential to choose the exercise that works for you. Here is some choice:
- High Energy Exercise. These exercises include running, dancing and spinning. These are aerobic exercises that are guaranteed to make your heart rate up.
- Yoga. If you want some calming and serene exercise, then yoga is the one for you. It helps you relax and drift into a world of serenity and peace. But fret not, despite this, you’ll see yourself sweating 10 minutes into the practice.
- Tai Chi. Are you up for some martial arts? Aside from exercise, it can also be a form of self-defense. With the self-paced, flowing body movements and breathing exercise, Thai Chi is a stress buster.
- Pilates. Pilates involves controlled movements and mat exercises that can help you build your strength, flexibility and endurance.
- Kickboxing. Kick and punch your frustrations away! With coordinated movements of your hands and feet, you will be preoccupied.
- Team Sports. Aside from being stress relieving, team sports also improve your coordination and cooperation with other people. Go and enjoy a game of football. Basketball or soccer with your friends and family.
- Biking. Pedal your way out of those negativeness and feel better as you cycle around the city or through a beautiful view. This outdoor activity helps you improve your mood while burning those calories.
Be Consistent
Now that you have everything in place, the key to making it work is to be consistent in doing exercise – whatever form that may be.
Be SMART
Set a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Limited (SMART) goals. This can help you track your progress and be happy that you can attain them. Setting impossible goals can be futile and will lead you to disappointment.
Find a friend
Knowing you are doing this with someone can be helpful. Both of you can serve as each other’s motivators. If you feel lazy, your workout buddy can talk you out of it and vice versa.
Exercise in Increments
Your busy schedule can be the main culprit of your inconsistency. So, why don’t you exercise in increments? If you cannot do a straight 30-minute walk, then try to divide it into three 10-minute walks instead.
Doing exercise can give you a lot of benefits. You just need to find time, love what you’re doing and be consistent about it. Come back for more health articles like Stop Worrying and Start Moving – Exercises to Help posted here on local NYC!
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