Exercise for Stress Relief.

You already know that regular exercise is beneficial to your health. If you tried exercise before but gave up, because it felt too much like hard work, you didn’t have enough time or felt too tired to exercise; you should feel much more motivated to start exercising regularly after reading this post.

Exercise isn’t just good for your physical fitness. Sure, you’ll benefit from improved stamina, more energy, stronger muscles, and a more toned and sculptured body. But the beneficial effects of exercise on overall mental health, including stress relief and reduction are well documented.

It’s the reason that exercise may be the most recommended coping technique for stress by health professionals, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

It works like this: Physical exertion boosts the production of new brain cells and burns the stress hormone cortisol. It also stimulates your brain to produce the mood-enhancing chemicals Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins.

Let’s talk a little about each of these brain chemicals, which have their own particular benefits.

Dopamine is the chemical that governs motivation and achievement. Get a hit of dopamine in your system, and you’re going to feel more driven to get things done and more focused on the task ahead. You’ll also be able to concentrate better than you could before.

Oxytocin is a chemical that helps with love, trust, and happy relationships. Think of Oxytocin as a bonding hormone. High levels of the substance are released into the body during sex, childbirth and when you are in love.

Serotonin is what keeps you happy. That’s why many people with depression have low levels of this chemical in their body and need to take serotonin boosting prescription drugs.

Endorphins are known for its pain relieving properties as well as its ability to give users a chemical high. Runners often report a sense of euphoria from the rush of endorphins while they’re exercising. Hence the term “runners high.”

It’s pretty cool how our brains work, and that’s why regular exercise is a win-win for mind, body, and soul. The good news is that you don’t have to feel like you’re killing yourself by going all out to feel the benefits of exercise.

Even five minutes of aerobic exertion will have beneficial effects. Working out at around 80% of your capacity for 20-30 minutes will trigger those high-inducing endorphins and make you feel fantastic.

Joining a gym is always a good option, but you don’t need a formal gym membership or set program to start an exercise routine. Workout tapes or videos can give you lots of options for exercising at home.

ACTION PLAN:
#1 – First of all, whatever you do, don’t let the thought of exercise put you off. Your workout doesn’t have to be perfect. You just need to do something. Even housework is exercise, and you’d be surprised how much more relaxed you feel after dancing around in your living room to some upbeat music for 5-10 minutes.

#2 – Consult your doctor before undertaking anything strenuous, especially if it’s been a while since you did any physical exercise. Build up your fitness level over time. Don’t try to run before you can walk (no pun intended). If you push yourself too hard too soon, you’re more likely to give up because of soreness and muscle strain.

#3 – To help you make regular exercise part of your routine, start with an exercise you enjoy. You’re much more likely to maintain your motivation to exercise if you have fun while you’re doing it. Make it a social occasion by exercising with a friend or enroll in a group fitness class if you can.

#4 – If you have an injury or condition that makes physical exercise difficult, consider taking up Yoga. Many people experience a significant reduction in their stress levels thanks to the combination of deep breathing, physical poses and relaxation techniques. Try Hatha Yoga for a slower pace and movements that are easier to learn.

#5 – Make your exercise session longer and more intense for maximum relief when you’re feeling very stressed. Bursts of high-intensity aerobic exercise have been shown to trigger a rush of Endorphins, resulting in an exhilarating workout high.

So now you know exercise isn’t just for improving physical fitness and your outward appearance. Hopefully, you’re motivated and looking forward to getting into a regular exercise routine to reduce stress. Even if it feels like hard work at first, stick with it. The rewards are well worth it.

Not only will you be improving your mental health and reduce stress levels, but you will also feel more energized and will sleep better too.

Identifying Stressors.

Everyone experiences stress differently, and what causes stress for one person might not bother someone else at all. That’s why it’s important to identify your own stressors—those specific situations, people, or activities that trigger stress in your life.

Stressors can come from many different areas. Common sources include work, relationships, financial pressures, and health issues. For some people, even positive events like getting married or starting a new job can be stress-inducing.

One way to start identifying your stressors is to keep a stress journal. Each day, take a few minutes to write down any situations that made you feel stressed. Over time, you might start to see patterns—like feeling stressed every time you have a meeting with a certain colleague, or when you’re running late.

Another approach is to pay attention to your body’s signals. We’ve already talked about how stress affects your body, so when you notice those signs—like a racing heart or tense muscles—think about what might have triggered them. Were you in a hurry? Were you dealing with a difficult person?

Once you’ve identified your stressors, the next step is to figure out how to manage them. Sometimes, you can avoid stressors altogether, like by planning your time better to avoid last-minute rushes. Other times, you might need to find ways to cope with unavoidable stressors, like learning how to stay calm during stressful conversations.

Identifying your stressors is a crucial part of stress management. By knowing what triggers your stress, you can take control and start making changes to reduce the impact of these stressors on your life.

The Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness.

Practicing mindfulness can have a wide range of benefits for your mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or just the challenges of everyday life, mindfulness can help you feel more balanced and in control.

One of the most well-known benefits of mindfulness is its ability to reduce stress. When you’re mindful, you’re more aware of your thoughts and feelings in the moment, which means you’re less likely to get caught up in worrying about the future or ruminating on the past. This can help you stay calm and focused, even in stressful situations.

In addition to reducing stress, mindfulness can also help improve your emotional regulation. This means that instead of reacting impulsively to your emotions, you’re able to respond in a more thoughtful and measured way. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with difficult emotions like anger or frustration.

Mindfulness can also enhance your focus and concentration. By training your mind to stay present and attentive, you can improve your ability to concentrate on tasks and avoid distractions. This can be beneficial in both your personal and professional life, helping you to be more productive and efficient.

Another important benefit of mindfulness is its ability to improve your overall well-being. Mindfulness has been shown to increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction with life. It can also help you develop a greater sense of compassion for yourself and others, which can lead to stronger relationships and a greater sense of connection.

Finally, mindfulness can have positive effects on your physical health. As we discussed in the previous section, mindfulness can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and reduce chronic pain. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, mindfulness can help you feel better both mentally and physically.

In summary, practicing mindfulness offers numerous benefits, from reducing stress and improving focus to enhancing emotional regulation and overall well-being.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, fully engaged with whatever you’re doing, without being distracted by thoughts about the past or worries about the future. It’s a simple concept, but it can have a profound impact on your life.

At its core, mindfulness involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment. It’s about observing these experiences without judgment—just noticing them as they are. This might mean noticing the sensation of your breath as you inhale and exhale, or paying attention to the sounds around you as you walk down the street.

One of the key principles of mindfulness is non-judgmental awareness. This means that when you notice a thought or feeling, you don’t label it as “good” or “bad.” Instead, you simply acknowledge it and let it pass. This can be especially helpful when dealing with stress, as it allows you to observe your stress response without getting caught up in it.

Mindfulness is often associated with meditation, but it’s important to note that they’re not the same thing. Meditation is one way to practice mindfulness, but you can also be mindful in your everyday activities, like eating, walking, or even doing the dishes.

For example, when you eat mindfully, you pay attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food, rather than eating on autopilot or while watching TV. This can make the experience of eating more enjoyable and help you feel more satisfied.

Mindfulness is a practice that anyone can develop. It doesn’t require any special equipment or a lot of time—just a willingness to slow down and be present. In the next posts, we’ll explore the science behind mindfulness and the many benefits it can offer, especially when it comes to managing stress.