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Stress Management
Exercise The Ultimate Stress-Reliever
Exercise The Ultimate Stress-Reliever
Perhaps it is the result of having a new job, a new mate, or a new
baby. You are overwhelmed with a feeling of excitement. Yet, you feel inadequate as well. As
a result, you are under a tremendous amount of stress.
At times, you might feel as if there is no relief in sight as if
you are on a treadmill which shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
However, the secret to effectively dealing with the stress may be
to get your body onto an actual treadmill. Exercise can be the key to stress
relief.
It is an obvious antidote to fatigue. It can make you feel more
energetic, improving your strength and resiliency. It has been shown that individuals who are
more physically fit often experience fewer health troubles.
In addition, exercisers are less likely to suffer from
psychological problems such as depression, binge eating, or insomnia.
Without exercise, you are increasing the likelihood that you will
be afflicted with colds, flu, or other medical problems. Aerobic exercise in particular can
improve your cardiovascular system and decrease your anxiety level.
Some studies have shown that, during aerobic exercise, a chemical
is produced in the brain which helps to heal the body from stress-related
conditions.
You should exercise at least three days a week for 30 minutes at a
time in order to improve not only your health but your mental outlook.
If you find it difficult to become motivated to exercise, there
are a number of steps you can take. To begin with, you can join an exercise club.
Knowing that you will have to pay dues to a gym may make it more
likely that you will actually end up exercising. You might also consider enlisting the aid of
a personal trainer.
A trainer can provide powerful motivation, pushing you to complete
exercises you never thought possible. Another idea is to join an exercise class. There, you
will meet other people who are in a similar position. The camaraderie that develops between
exercisers can help to reduce your stress level.
In general, exercise should make you feel less anxious. Your
muscles become less tense and you will be less shaky after a round of exercise.
It has also been shown that exercise leads to an hour and a half
to two hours of relaxation response. This has also been referred to as the endorphin
response.
As a result, your mood will improve, enabling you to deal more
effectively with stress.
Exercise can also improve your self-image. You will experience
greater self-worth, which will, in turn, reduce your stress level. A confident person is an
individual who knows how to handle stress without becoming flustered.
As a result of exercise, you may also end up eating better. Your
improved menu may also prove to be a stress reliever. For instance, if you give up
caffeinated drinks, you might become less jittery.
In addition to your sessions in the gym, you should be looking for
additional opportunities to exercise.
This could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking
to work instead of driving, or playing touch football in the backyard with your
children.
The point is to get moving and keep moving at every available
opportunity.
Exercise quickens the blood flow to your mind, offering the brain
additional sugars and oxygen which can be important if you are concentrating. Exercise can
also clear out waste products from the brain which can result in unclear thinking.
You will also feel a greater sense of well-being as a result of
exercise.
As has been shown here, exercise is beneficial for both the body
and the mind. As a result, it can relax you when other techniques fail.
By engaging in exercise, you free up your mind, enabling you to
concentrate better and work more efficiently. Chances are you will not only feel better, you
will look better as well.
With your brain under control, you should experience less stress.
Granted, exercise takes time and requires discipline, but it is well worth the
exertion.
The good feelings you get from a powerful exercise session can
actually last for days. You may find that you actually look forward to working out because of
the tremendous benefits it brings with it.
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