We’ve all heard that exercising is not only important for physical fitness, but it is also great for stress management. But, have you ever wondered just what exercises are the most effective? The answers may surprise you.
1. Breathing: Breathing might not sound like much of an exercise, but we often don’t breathe deeply enough, often enough. Training and toning the muscles you use to breathe can help you take in more oxygen, resulting in a clearer head and calmer mind. Next time you’re feeling stressed, try this simple exercise: Sit or stand up straight with your shoulders slightly back. This allows your lungs room to expand. Slowly inhale through your nose to a count of five. Then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. It’s that simple. The best part is you can do this exercise anywhere, anytime.
2. Yoga: The mind-body connection is an important one to nurture for healthy living. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise for both stress management and fitness. Yoga has many benefits including increasing flexibility, working and toning muscles – including those often neglected in other types of workouts – and lubricating the joints, muscles, and tendons. Yoga also flushes the toxins from your system, leaving you with increased energy and an overall feeling of wellness.
3. Group Exercise: It’s a lot easier to form long lasting healthy habits when you’ve got company. Social connections tend to reduce stress, and make exercising easier and more fun. Try joining a running or cycling club and feel the stress melt away with the miles. Take advantage of your languishing gym membership and try a Zumba or spin class. Better yet, sign up for a martial arts class and learn self-defense techniques while getting a good workout and blowing off steam.
4. Water Aerobics: A great way to combine the stress reducing properties of water and exercise, water aerobics is ideal for anyone – especially if you have physical restrictions that make it difficult to exercise on dry land. Water provides buoyancy and support making injury less likely. Water aerobics also builds quick muscular endurance, improves cardiovascular conditioning and improves flexibility.
5. Get Moving… Period: Whether it’s walking your dog, playing with your kids or gardening on your own, simply get out and get moving. Any aerobic activity that gets your blood pumping releases endorphins – our body’s natural stress relievers. Whatever your favorite activity might be, make exercising your healthy habit for stress management.
