5 Tips for Successfully Managing Stress with Exercise

Study after study has proven that excessive stress plays a huge role in our physical health, leading to everything from heart attacks to chronic migraine headaches. Luckily, science has also proven that exercise is an incredibly effective and natural way to reduce stress. When we exercise regularly our bodies release chemical substances called endorphins, which is a natural reaction that has no other effect than to make us feel good. In fact, endorphins are sometimes known as the happy hormones.

In order to manage stress through exercise, all one truly has to do is get up and get moving! Here are some tips for success and pitfalls to avoid that will help you maximize the stress-reducing effects of your workout:

Start Slowly Exercise is great for your health, but only when done properly and at the right pace for you. If you’re new to exercise, start slowly and get professional guidance if you’re unsure of how to do something. Fitness professionals see exercise novices jump into a workout routine on their first day in the gym only to never return. When followed up with, these newbies say they were so sore after their workout that they would not think of trying again. They were not used to exercise and overdid it; this is a recipe for disaster. Large amounts of lactic acid, a waste product that causes soreness, built up in their muscles and made them feel so sore that they could barely get out of bed for the next several days. Certainly not a stress-free week for these first-time exercisers!

Make it Fun Do the type of exercise you like to do while still maintaining a balance. Basically, if you hate doing squats, do not spend your entire workout session doing them just because a trainer told you they are good for toning what is a problem area for you. Doing all those squats will become a stressful and dreaded part of your workout. If you absolutely love aerobic step classes, then make that the majority of your workout and do a just one set of squats afterward.

Make it Social (or Not) If you thrive on social interaction, then go to a group fitness class or exercise with a friend. This will surely motivate you and make exercise seem more like a stress-free joy than a chore. On the other hand, say you have three young kids and long for just one quiet hour to yourself each day, then by all means get that hour by spending it in thought on the treadmill or with another solitary exercise.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up If you miss a workout day here or there don’t worry about it; just get back on track when you can. Forcing yourself to adhere to a stringent schedule when you’re truly too tired to make to the gym one day will only increase your stress level.

Revel in the Rewards Enjoy the many benefits of exercise—better health and a better-looking body! Look in the mirror more often, buy some new clothes, enjoy more activities with the additional energy you have from exercise. This will all boost your self-esteem and enable you to deal with stress better.




Keywords: benefits of exercise, tips of exercises, informations of exercises