Exercising for Stress Relief
Career pressures, relationship conflicts, and major life changes–even positive ones–can lead us to experience increased stress. Over time, stress can become a chronic condition, negatively affecting our health, lowering our productivity and reducing our quality of life. Exercise gives us a healthy, natural way to de-stress, reducing hazardous symptoms of stress in the body. Exercise can even provide us with a way to protect against future stress, releasing essential brain chemicals that promote ongoing happiness and peace of mind.
Negative Effects of Stress on the Body
When we experience stress, the body responds by releasing cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that negatively affects the immune system. This release of cortisol triggers an increase in blood sugar, blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and we begin to store excess body fat. This ultimately begins to take a toll on the body over time, leading to an increased risk of hypertension, arrhythmia, heart disease and stroke.
Relieving Stress Through Exercise
Exercise decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol by stimulating the nervous system's receptors, enabling more efficient blood sugar processing. Even simple stretches lower stress can, promoting blood flow and strengthening the entire cardiovascular system. Exercise also reduces literal, physical stress on the body, by lowering body fat ratios. This reduces stress on the heart,lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol, while increasing good cholesterol levels.
Improved Mental Health Through Exercise
Exercise reduces stress by boosting blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Additionally, exercise hones mental focus, so we can shift to productive problem-solving. Exercise has been shown to increase mental acuity, sharpen the memory and lower anxiety. In fact, a study by the American College of Sports Medicine showed that time-management, cognitive performance and work quality all increased when subjects received regular exercise.
Exercise further reduces mental stress by promoting new nerve growth and aiding pliability in the brain's synapses. Within the first few minutes of exercise, symptoms of psychological stress begin to disappear, as exercise releases endorphins to elevate mood and reduce pain. Exercise also affects several of the brain's neurotransmitters–including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin–which bring increased mental clarity and feelings of calm and contentedness.
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