Every week I receive enquiries asking if exercise will help manage stress! The underlining reasons for these enquiries vary from a stressful job with the daily commute; managing the balancing act between home, children and chaotic family; occasionally it is someone undergoing IVF or a teenager studying for their GCSEs!
Life is stressful.
The answer however is a resounding ‘yes’ exercise will help you manage your stress. It may not take the stress away; but it will help you to control your emotions, clear your head and tackle the pressures of life today.
How is this?
As with most things in life one size will not fit all. Try different activities; you want to do something you will enjoy something to make you feel good. It could be fun, relaxing or even a little painful! The proof will be in the pudding. How do you feel at the end? If it’s not great, try something else.
Workout with a buddy, someone who enjoys the same activities as you do. You are more likely to stick with it together than you are on your own.
Make it a regular routine. We are (mostly) creatures of habit; routine will give you a sense of order and control.
Have a quick fix when you need it; ‘bust a few moves’ from your emergency (active) tool kit. There are some dynamic and invigoration movements to help release stress! Only be aware of your surroundings and others around you. I always use the example that a crowded Central Line platform may not be the best location for cartwheels!
Relax – sometimes this is easier said than done! If so find a class, activity or session where relaxation is taught. Master the art of relaxation, practice and reap the benefits. Again, relaxation techniques can be in your emergency stress busting
tool kit.
If you are looking for innovative ideas or would like to introduce ‘Stress Buster’ sessions at home or work please do not hesitate to contact me.
Inspired Health and Fitness – The complete approach to health, fitness and wellbeing
Pauline Ward
Business Owner and Fitness Professional
Follow me on facebook: Inspired Health and Fitness
Follow me on twitter: @IHFcouk
Website: www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk
Linkedin: Pauline Ward
Telephone: 07821 969405
Life is stressful.
The answer however is a resounding ‘yes’ exercise will help you manage your stress. It may not take the stress away; but it will help you to control your emotions, clear your head and tackle the pressures of life today.
How is this?
- Exercise will help focus the mind. When you exercise your mind and body have to work in harmony. One cannot function without the other. The exercise activity will divert your thoughts from the ‘stressful situation’ to the task at hand; ‘synchronisation of movement’.
- Exercise will stimulate breathing and muscle action which in turn will increase the supply of oxygenated blood to fuel the body.
- Exercise will encourage you to control your breathing, sometimes slowing it down with deeper rhythmical breathes taking you to a more relaxed disposition.
- Repetitive exercise actions such as walking, running and cycling can calm the mind giving you time for contemplation (meditation).
- Stress and tension can manifest in the body like a coiled spring. Stretching exercises can help release tension relaxing the body and mind.
As with most things in life one size will not fit all. Try different activities; you want to do something you will enjoy something to make you feel good. It could be fun, relaxing or even a little painful! The proof will be in the pudding. How do you feel at the end? If it’s not great, try something else.
Workout with a buddy, someone who enjoys the same activities as you do. You are more likely to stick with it together than you are on your own.
Make it a regular routine. We are (mostly) creatures of habit; routine will give you a sense of order and control.
Have a quick fix when you need it; ‘bust a few moves’ from your emergency (active) tool kit. There are some dynamic and invigoration movements to help release stress! Only be aware of your surroundings and others around you. I always use the example that a crowded Central Line platform may not be the best location for cartwheels!
Relax – sometimes this is easier said than done! If so find a class, activity or session where relaxation is taught. Master the art of relaxation, practice and reap the benefits. Again, relaxation techniques can be in your emergency stress busting
tool kit.
If you are looking for innovative ideas or would like to introduce ‘Stress Buster’ sessions at home or work please do not hesitate to contact me.
Inspired Health and Fitness – The complete approach to health, fitness and wellbeing
Pauline Ward
Business Owner and Fitness Professional
Follow me on facebook: Inspired Health and Fitness
Follow me on twitter: @IHFcouk
Website: www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk
Linkedin: Pauline Ward
Telephone: 07821 969405
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