Exercise Reduces Stress

A little bit of stress can be a good thing, it can help you study that little bit harder and strive to achieve your goals. However too much stress is highly detrimental to your health. Too much stress can weaken your immune system, cause high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and heart disease.

Regular exercise reduces the harmful effects of stress and helps with managing stress. Physical activity gets more oxygen to your brain which helps with concentration, and releases endorphins that make you feel happy. The often-repetitive nature of exercise requires focus and concentration, taking your mind off what you were stressing about. Clearing your mind can help you figure out how to tackle your problem.

Stress effects everyone differently, you may have headaches, tense or sore muscles, trouble sleeping, feel anxious or depressed. Creating a healthy exercise habit such as going to the gym, going for a walk, going for a swim, can help you manage and reduce your stress symptoms. When you are stressed your body releases adrenaline which speeds up your heart rate and your blood pressure rises. This is preparing you to deal with the situation. When stress is chronic your body remains in high gear which is when it can take a physical toll on you.

Some of the benefits exercise can have are: • Reduce fatigue • Improve concentration • Improve your mood • Decrease tension • Improve sleep • Increase your self-esteem • Make you feel happier • Helps control your appetite • Gives you more energy and stamina • Help you lose weight • Reduce your risk of developing heart disease and stroke • Helps control blood sugar

Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.