Exercise for stress reduction.

When most of us think of exercise it is a tool for shifting those extra pounds which gently snuck on when we were not looking.  It is a chore, a bother and sometimes feels expensive - especially when you start to look at gym memberships and the price of a pair of Running shoes these days.  But for stress management?

Most of us don't realise how wonderful exercise is for stress reduction and mental wellbeing.  A good workout whether in the form of a swim, a brisk walk or a gym workout, is a brilliant way to make life feel more manageable.  It releases wonderful endorphins which make us feel content and in control - even if it is just for a short while.  The benefits of a toned body and increased energy make it a more preferable option to smoking or drinking as a way to reduce stress.  These only add to the stress the body is under and further deplete it of vital nutrients it needs to manage the stress.

When our bodies become stressed our heart rates rise, we start to produce adrenaline and cortisol and a feeling of rising panic in our emotions occurs as a response.  Our body does now know the difference between a real threat (an angry leopard)  or something which is making us feel agitated (irrational work colleague).  The stress hormones which are produced to make us run away from the angry leopard, simply build up and sit there as we ponder the irrational work colleague.   Our adrenals are overworked, our bodies release sugar into the blood stream for quick action (stored as abdonimal fat when we don't use it) and our breathing becomes shallow.

A good workout at the end of the day or before work can make all the difference.  It puts us in a completely different mindset and creates a feeling of wellbeing as we burn off that excess energy and adrenaline.  Follow that with a good nutritious salad with salmon for dinner and a superfood powder such as spirulina and your body will be feeling so good that the annoying work colleague will be a distant memory.

Be good to your body and your mind will smile in response.

Josie.
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