10 Feb STRESSED OUT?? WORK OUT!!!

I’m sure you’ve heard that exercise lowers levels of anxiety, depression and stress. What about for people who are stressed with the thought of exercising? Well, push through and get to the gym or hop on your treadmill and even you will feel stress relief.

When stress affects the brain, the rest of the body feels the impact as well. When your  your body feels better so will your mind.  There is a scientific reason as to why you always feel better after a workout.

Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and also trigger a positive feeling in the body.

They can improve the ability to sleep which in turn reduces stress. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and  feel fewer negative effects of stress.  That’s why it’s called one of the brain’s “feel good” chemicals.  There are other ways to produce endorphins, one being sex, but since I’m the fitness blogger and not the sex therapist I’ll stick to exercise!

Sex can also release the “feel good” chemical

We already know exercise is good for our physical condition but  exercise is also very important for maintaining mental fitness.

Exercising on a regular basis in itself increases emotional well-being. Regular exercisers have increased self-esteem and self-confidence. Fit individuals who exercise regularly appear more relaxed and less anxious and depressed.

Active individuals may not have less stress in their lives but have a release that stress doesn’t effect them as negatively as an equally stressed individual that doesn’t exercise.

Even just five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

Speaking for myself, exercise helps me to let go of the day’s problems.  I can focus on myself and regroup.  I experience higher energy levels and certainly feel more calm. Sometimes I can be in a vile mood where even I don’t particularly want to be around me,  but I’ll start my workout and can almost feel the release.  The positive endorphins that exercise brings help me be able to maintain a more positive attitude afterwards.

So bring on the homework, the bickering kids and the other daily stress triggers (which are really not big problems) in my life, I’m ready for you!!