How movement helps relieve chronic stress
Whether or not you experience chronic stress, we all experience stress and anxiety at some time or another. Fitting regular movement into your schedule is a great way to boost your mood and improve your overall health.
You might be thinking, “Megan, I hate exercising. Isn’t there something else I can do to relieve stress and improve my overall wellbeing?”
There are a lot of things you can do to boost your health, but exercise is essential to pursuing and maintaining better health.
But, exercise doesn’t have to be hard.
When I - or any other health practitioner - recommend moving regularly, I don’t mean you have to do some high-intensity workout every day. Those types of exercises can be good, but so is something as simple as walking your dog, having a mini dance party in your living room, or even a gentle stretch or yoga flow. Exercise doesn’t always have to be hard or something you hate.
So, why else should you exercise to reduce stress? Here are some other benefits:
Regular exercise reduces the negative effects of stress. When we exercise, our bodies produce endorphins. Endorphins are feel-good hormones that are often produced when we exercise, and help us to relieve stress and pain, as well as improve our moods. Not to mention, training your body to handle the physical stress of exercise prepares it to better handle other stressors, whether bodily, mentally or emotionally.
It promotes mindfulness. When you’re exercising, you have to be aware of your body and how you perform each movement. Not only does this increase your self awareness, it also takes your mind off the stressors and challenges of the day. Learning how to control your body physically can also be a good practice for learning how to better manage and control other aspects of your health.
It boosts your mood. We already know endorphins are released when we perform certain activities, like exercise. This can lead to an improved sense of self along with improved physical health. Liking yourself and your life a little more is a good thing.
No matter how you move, just remember it’s always a win when you do move.
Do you have some favorite exercises or fun ways to move regularly? Let us know in the comments!
