How Exercise Can Help Relieve Stress

With everyone's lives becoming more challenging with work, finances, family, friends...etc becoming more demanding we know that more people are experiencing a higher level of stress in their daily lives. The American Institute of Stress found that Job Stress is the leading source of stress for most adults although it was discovered that the stress level of children (including teenagers), college students and the elderly are also increasing. Some of the reasons for the boost in stress levels consist of being / feeling alone, loss of social relationships / support, increase in crimes / violence along with peer pressures which can potentially lead to substance abuse / other unhealthy behaviors.

Therefore with everyone's stress level increasing one great way to decrease your level of stress and others (families, friends...etc) is by adding some exercise into your daily routine. Some might this that exercise only improves one's body although it actually improves one's mind and overall health. Note that any type of exercise can be a stress reliever. Some examples include stretching, walking, yoga, playing basketball, weightlifting or even playing Wii Fit. Therefore finding an exercise that fits within your daily routine should not be too difficult.

Benefits of Exercising to Relieve Stress:

Boosts your mood - by exercising you can improve your sleep by improving your concentration, increase your self confidence and decrease the symptoms with mild depression. In the research paper (The Influence of Exercise on Mental Health) written by Daniel M. Landers from Arizona State University, it was found that there is now significant evidence which demonstrates that there is a definite relationship between exercise and improved mental health. This relationship was mainly apparent in reducing anxiety and depression. They stated that they have thousands of subjects that support this research.

Weight Control - by participating in physical activity you will be burning calories which will help you be in charge of your weight which will help one lose / maintain weight, tone one's body and having a healthy glow.

Energizes Endorphins - exercising enhances the production of endorphins on one's brain which can produce a euphoric feeling which is sometimes referred to as 'runner's high'.

If you are feeling stressed try to add a little more exercise into your daily routine and hopefully you will be able to enjoy some of the benefits of exercising. Share your favorite Stress Relieving Exercises below.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic