The key to stress management is finding a way to relieve your stress so you can cope with any situation that unfolds. Luckily there are many proven strategies to help someone handle and decrease stress. Fortunately exercise falls among the many tools that can help you to get a handle on the stress in your life.
Stress not only affects your brain, but with so many connections to your nerves, it can be felt throughout your body. For many, stress can manifest in sadness, anger, exhaustion, mood swings, insomnia, poor eating, panic attacks and many other ways. The key to helping to reduce or manage stress is linked with learning coping skills and raising the endorphins in your brain to counteract these feelings. While exercise has been found to be a great outlet for stress, others turn to meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, conventional therapy and music as other ways to manage stress.
Studies show that it is exercise that can play a very significant role in helping stress reduction and management. As you engage in physical activity, your body reacts by releasing endorphins. These endorphins are actually hormones that work to fight stress. As the endorphins are increased your brain can start to feel more clear, energized and alert. These will all play a role in allowing you to manage stress and find new ways to prioritize and cope with emotions.
So what type of exercise do you fancy? Although any form of exercise that allows you to escape the stress and relax will work, there are several forms that have been found to be especially helpful. Perhaps one of these is right for you.
Strength Training - Strength training can have a profound impact on stress levels and mood. Just like any form of exercise, strength training provides feel good hormones, but lifting is one of our favorites because of the satisfaction you can get from really pushing yourself, and subsequently, feeling and seeing yourself get stronger. Try this free workout: Squats and Deadlifts Workout - At Home Lower Body Workout or this: Upper Body Workout for Great Arms, Back, Chest, and Shoulders
Aerobic Exercise - Participating in aerobic activities such as running, spinning, cardio or dance also offer the benefit of an increased heart rate. When your heart rate goes up, your body will release an increased amount of endorphins, which are natural opiates that allow you to “feel good”. These activities help you to feel better both physically and mentally. HIIT workouts may be a good way to keep the workout quick and maximally effective for healthy, weight management, and time efficiency. Try this abs & HIIT cardio workout
Yoga - This type of exercise is considered a mind-body exercise, which in itself can strengthen your bodies internal response to stress. Yoga often involves various poses with deep breathing, which allows you to learn to relax while strengthening your body and improving your posture. Check out Fitness Blender's 3 Day Flexibility Challenge
Martial Arts - For many people martial arts is the perfect way to get in shape, release energy and let off tension. Learning the techniques is helpful in keeping your mind occupied and away from stressors. The many forms of martial arts allow you to learn self-discipline and self-defense while keeping you in shape.
Kickboxing - For many people under stress, there is a strong feeling of tension and anger. Taking up kickboxing is a great way to reduce your stress through a series of punching and kicking movements. Improving your balance, burning calories, and becoming more flexible are among the many benefits of this form of exercise. Cardio Kickboxing and Bodyweight Cardio or this Cardio Kickboxing & Abs - Kickboxing for Stress & Cardio Benefits
Pilates - Despite the fact that Pilates is considered an anaerobic exercise, it is also a stress relieving exercise to consider learning. Pilates focuses on mat exercises with a series of controlled movements. This workout was created to improve strength, endurance and flexibility. Here's a free Pilates workout: Lower Body Pilates Workout - Butt and Thigh Workout
Next time you feel a stressful situation coming on, perhaps it is best to put on your sneakers and earn a Workout Complete with one of our 500 free workout videos!
Do you have a favorite type of training on days where you are feeling particularly stressed?
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