Reducing Stress By Exercising
If everyone knows that exercise is important then why is stress, disease, and fatigue so wide spread in today’s society?
How many times have we heard it?…. there are so many benefits to exercising especially when used to lower stress levels. If everyone knows that exercise is important then why is stress, disease, and fatigue so wide spread in today’s society?
The answer is simple. We know what to do, some of us even know how to do it, we just don’t do it.
All of the experts agree that one of the best ways to manage stress is through exercise. Exercise has been proven to relax the body and mind, burn fat, improve cardiovascular system, bring in more oxygen, reduce the chance of diseases, lower blood pressure and more….the list goes on, and on and on!
During the stress response, many chemical reactions occur in the body preparing it for what is known as the “fight or flight response.” During prehistoric days, as cave dwellers, we had the opportunity to burn off our stress when wild animals attacked or threatened us. Stress was part of our survival mechanism. We were able to run away or fight the threat. In today’s society, we do not have to fight wild animals, so we do not have the same outlet readily at hand to burn off the stress or pent up negative emotions. Therefore, we carry it with us, creating emotional and physical problems.
Exercise can help by providing an outlet for negative emotions such as worry, irritability, depression, hostility, anger, frustration, and anxiety. We can dissipate these feelings by bashing a ball on the tennis court, by running, or punching a bag. Regular exercise provides the opportunity to manage the “fight or flight response” and helps the body to return to a homeostasis or balanced state more quickly.
Exercise can also improve self-esteem and self worth. We may feel more outgoing and social because of the increased energy. A better physique creates more confidence and a positive self image. Our self-esteem is be enhanced by taking on exercise challenges or goals, giving us a feeling of accomplishment and reward.
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