There's a lot going on in our world that can lead you to some level of stress: incessant news of wars, viruses with no cures, shootings, etc. In addition, we have our personal daily stressors, being on time for a meeting, getting yourself and possibly your entire family out the door in the morning, getting stuck in traffic, etc. Between worldly stressors and personal ones, you can build up a lot of stress that if not addressed can manifest into a real physical issue: tension in the neck, sleepless nights, weight gain and many other health problems.
So how can we handle all of this stress??? My answer: Exercise. Given all of life's daily stressors, I use exercise for my therapy. It clears my head, it requires me to focus on my movement, it forces me to push aside whatever is stressing me out because my body is relying on me to make it safely through whatever the physical activity is. I exercise or do some kind of physical activity about 5-7 days a week and when I get out of that routine, my ability to manage stress diminishes with every day that I haven't worked out. For me, there's a direct correlation between the two: more exercise = less stress and less exercise = more stress.
In this article from the Mayo clinic Get Moving to Manage Stress they state that "Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever".
The Huffington Posts in their article: How Does Exercise Reduce Stress highlights scientific benefits :
[Exercise] forces the body's physiological systems -- all of which are involved in the stress response -- to communicate much more closely than usual: The cardiovascular system communicates with the renal system, which communicates with the muscular system. And all of these are controlled by the central and sympathetic nervous systems, which also must communicate with each other. This workout of the body's communication system may be the true value of exercise; the more sedentary we get, the less efficient our bodies in responding to stress.
So what better excuse to go for a long walk, hike or bike ride with a friend when it is a proven stress reducer. If you already use exercise as your stress reducer, what are your favorites? My top 3 are Running, Yoga and more recently Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP). Running has always been my go to. I can do it anywhere and I find a calming rhythm in my pace, my cadence and my breathing. Yoga is my next favorite as it calms my mind while it sets me in repetitive motions that require strength, balance and flexibility. SUP is my most recent favorite. Every time I go out on a board whether with friends or by myself, I work my core and my arms via paddling and get a mini escape from land and usually a pretty awe inspiring view of the shoreline from the water.
So get out and participate in your own favorite exercise therapy this week, I'm sure it will help you with life's stresses. Have a great week and hope to see you for a workout soon!
Barb
If you're interested in group sessions or 1-1 personal training sessions, contact me @ barbmh@yahoo.com Also don't forget to check out my past posts on health & fitness at barbfit.blogspot.com
