Stress is a bit like the weather. Everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it.
Heck, we don’t even quite know how to define it.
It’s often a synonym for anxiety or depression, for physical demands. It could be bad or a badge of honor.
Clearly, it’s a 21st century affliction: a nonspecific response, demand or sensation to someTHING.
However defined, it wreaks havoc. It causes anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical illness. In fact, stress may be the greatest risk factor for serious diseases including cancer & heart disease.
So stress management exercise could target anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical after effects or some combination of preceding.
Our pages on working out to reduce depression &/or anxiety qualify as general stress reduction exercise.
How & why exercise relieves stress
Stress results in a number of physical & psychological effects.
For example, stress causes hormones to be released including cortical. These stress hormones are vital for confronting highly stressful situations but damage body parts & disrupt important physical processes.
Frequent physical reactions to stress can damage the heart, raise blood pressure & suppress the immune system.
Stress also challenges our mood & complicates emotional & psychological well-being. It leads to anxiety, depression, insomnia and a number of other psychological problems.
Luckily, relieving stress with exercise seems to target all of the symptoms of stress.
For example, exercise trains our hormonal system to excrete hormones when necessary for survival.
Stress management exercise teaches he body to quickly rid itself of the hormones when the crisis is over.
Stress reduction exercise lowers blood pressure.
Relieving stress with exercise strengthens our immune system.
Exercise reduces depression & anxiety.
Exercise improves self concept & self esteem.
Exercise, done correctly, improves virtually every aspect of our physical & psychological selves.
As suggested on other pages, if exercise was a drug it would be hailed as the “wonder drug” of the millennium.
Stress reduction exercise
Convinced? Great!
Some tips on using exercise for stress management.
* Exercise can be stressful. Do exercise that is moderate. Progress gradually. Bring a noncompetitive attitude to your workout sessions.
* Exercise frequently. Try for 5 - 7 days per week. Effects of exercise are immediate & last about 24 hours.
* Especially at first, make mild to moderate exercise for anxiety. Mild aerobic activity may force exerciser to meditate & relax.
* Make sessions 20 - 60 minutes. Don’t hesitate to add a second session if time & fitness level permit it. Space sessions apart at least 8 hours & be sure to hydrate & eat between sessions.
* Mix it up. Walking, cycling, tennis, light weightlifting. Especially walking, with a friend if possible. See our pages for different exercise ideas (Under EXERCISE tab).
For the most effective online exercise programs, Workoutpass (click on image above) gives you instant access to 43 different workout websites for 25 cents a day.
Each of these sites are filled with only 100% real-world tested workouts that will have you quickly reaching your goals.
CLICK HERE