5 Ways to Reduce Stress with Exercise
Take Regular Walks
On days when you can't make it to the gym, go for a decent walk. At least 20 minutes of vigorous walking is all it takes to clear your mind. If you can find a hill to climb, do that, too, as hills add more resistance to your workout. An added benefit of walking is that it's low-impact and easy on your joints.
Practice Repetitive Motion Exercises
Exercises that require repetitive motions include swimming, cycling or any physical exercise that could be done in intervals. Running laps is another good example of a repetitive exercise, as keeping track of your lap number reduces your stress by giving you a new focus. Aerobics and step exercises are good for reducing stress, too.
Weight Train
Weight training releases a lot of endorphins, also known as the "feel good" hormones. Through increased resistance, you are forcing your body to exert energy you would otherwise store as stress. Weight training can be as complex as a trip to the gym or as simple as adding ankle weights to your walk. Endorphins are also associated with "runner's high," a euphoric feeling that is achieved through long-distance running. Speak with a physician before starting any weight training regimen.
Try Yoga and Other Low-Impact, Meditative Exercises
Yoga is not just a beautiful spiritual endeavor. The benefits of yoga also include meditative stress relief as well as core strengthening and muscle training. Not only must you learn balance and concentration, but almost by default you must focus solely on the positions and not on the stress you might otherwise be feeling. Yoga is also a good option for those who cannot weight train for any reason as it is a low impact exercise, and your routine can be tailored to your skill level. Tai chi is another great example of a low-impact, meditative exercise.
Exercise with Sports
Any sport is good stress relief. Golf, tennis, baseball, softball, football and racquetball all provide an outlet for stress. While walking is a good low-impact exercise, sports are often very high-impact and demand focus. You'll find after playing a sport that you've reduced your stress simply because you've had to forget about the day and all of its difficulties. Sports that require more than one person also give you a chance to talk about your stress and release it through communication.
5 Ways to Reduce Stress with Exercise was originally published on LIVESTRONG.COM.
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About this Author
Anthony Tedesco has worked as an emergency medical technician and hospice volunteer, which taught him techniques for preventing and coping with serious conditions through athletics, yoga, diet and conscious effort. Tedesco covers health-related topics such as sleep apnea, stress management, diabetes and weight loss as a writer.
