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Relieving Stress By Exercise: Let The Body Do It!



Relieving Stress by Exercise: The Chemistry

Relieving stress by exercise
Photo: Jonathan N.

Often, you underestimate the power of things that are easiest to do, and are within your reach. Exercise: you were perhaps enthusiastic about it in your college days, and then, as is mostly the case, you abandoned it for more important matters, you did not have enough time for it…

..And with it you also left behind a way that could help you tide over the tensions of your life: which is, relieving stress by exercise.

Exercise reduces the stress causing hormones – like cortisol and norepinephrine. You might be familiar with the term ‘runner’s high’ – the feeling of well being and exhilaration which comes after a rigorous physical activity. This is caused by the secretion of endorphins, the morphine-like hormones, which create a feeling of elation, and help reduce pain. Some other chemicals like dopamine and serotonin are released in the brain. These give a feeling of safety and security. Exercise is also seen as an effective treatment strategy for depression and anxiety


The actual way these chemicals work in promoting a feeling of euphoria is debated, but it is certain that doing exercise has a mood elevating quality. After 20 to 30 minutes of rigorous exercise you start feeling its effects. If you practice it 3 to 5 times a week, these good feelings will persist for longer periods.


When you are going through periods of tension and stress, negative emotions like irritability and anger are indeed hard to control. During periods like these, any kind of rigorous exercise can help in calming you. It is a good way to release pent up frustrations and negativity. Whether it is Yoga, aerobics, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, walking or jogging, exercise helps in releasing anger.




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Relieving Stress By Exercise: The Physiology



Stress causes tension and constriction of muscles, reducing supply of oxygen, thereby leading to pains, aches and tiredness in the body. Exercise helps in bringing the body out of this clammed-up condition, releases muscular tension, increases the flow of oxygen and helps in relaxing the body. Prolonged periods of tension weaken the muscles and may cause the body to adopt unhealthy posture, ultimately wrecking the health of the person.


Let us examine how Yoga works. While practicing Yoga body is stretched in various postures, and is kept in that posture for some period. Then the tension is released. This whole process stretches and ‘opens’ the muscle and helps in strengthening them. It helps in improving health and adopting healthy body-posture. When you are practicing Yoga, you are not only relieving stress by exercise, you are also becoming more health conscious and nurturing your mind and body towards better health.


During stressful periods, you may wallow in self-pity and self-imposed isolation. Exercise brings you out of these negative emotions, and creates that initial push, the inertia, that motivates you to take remedial actions towards self-preservation and maintaining mental, physical and emotional health. Exercise helps in maintaining a sense of balance.



Relieving Stress By Exercise: The Psychology



Exercise provides you with a means to distraction. For the time that you are involved in a rigorous activity, you are doing something positive for your body and mind. This, of itself, is a positive feedback that helps you in dwelling on something positive, taking your mind away from self-pitiful thoughts.


Apart from all the benefits that affect the body, there are some other, psychological effects of exercise that those who indulge in prolonged periods of intense physical activity, are familiar with. The activity might be walking or jogging, exercising at the gym or practicing yoga: anything that requires consistent effort and concentration.


These kind of repetitive activities take you to a meditative state – a state which takes you nearer to the relaxation response. Indeed, it I will not be surprised, if you come back deeply relaxed after a 30 minute yoga or workout session.


Moreover, you spend energy on making yourself healthy – it gives more confidence, inspires you to make more efforts to look and feel good, and makes you calm and happy: all these are a good bunch of stress busters.


Have you not yet started giving serious thought to relieving stress by exercise, and to making exercise or yoga or walking or whatever, a part of your everyday life?



Further Reading..

Sustain Your Motivation to Exercise: Some Tips To Keep You Going!

How To Exercise To Sleep Better

5 Simple Exercises You Can Do Anywhere To Beat Stress

Five Easy Toning Exercises To Keep You Fit

The Relaxation Response: A Perfect Antidote to Stress

Stress Relief Tips And Techniques: Top 10 Stress Relievers

Meditation:Stress Relief Through Awareness

Deep Breathing For Stress Relief And Relaxation

Back to HOME from Relieving Stress By Exercise: Let The Body Do It

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