The Effect Of Exercise On Stress

Medical research has proved it beyond doubt that exercise is an unsurpassed stress-buster of all times. Not only does exercise keep you in good health – it also relieves all your tensions and anxieties.

Exercise busts stress on two levels – physical and mental:

i) Physical level: When you exercise your heart strengthens, the immune system is bolstered, your overall health improves as your fats, cholesterol and triglycerides get reduced, and you turn into a lean, mean good-looking machine. Now when you look good, you feel good – in effect, exercise makes you carry yourself with confidence.

ii) Mental level: Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain. That is why you always feel relaxed and refreshed after a good session of exercise and look forward to the next session. Exercise also helps promote sound sleep.

If you take a look around you, you will find that two out of three people are leading a sedentary, lethargic lifestyle, dumping unhealthy foods into their body all the time. These people are just too plain lazy to take up an exercise regimen. On the other hand, you have people who are so engrossed in their work that they don't have any time left for exercise. Well, both these types of people are doing themselves a big disservice by not exercising. And both will see their stress levels going up with time due to combined effect of physical health problems as well as emotional problems arising out of such lifestyles.

Exercising is often equated with "pumping iron". Well, it doesn't necessarily have to be always that. Everyone is made different and so everyone must choose an exercise that he/she enjoys the most. It could be in the form of pumping iron at the gym, performing aerobics, jogging in the park, cycling in the neighborhood, playing a sport, running on your own treadmill, or whatever. But one thing is common – whatever form of exercise you choose to do, it will leave you feeling fresh, invigorated and stress-free.

Stressed-out folks can go for a combination of both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises (for example, swimming, running, walking) are moderate but sustained (for 30 minutes optimally) exercises that involve major muscle groups. They increase the heartbeat and respiratory rate, and help circulate more oxygen throughout the body. And more oxygen translates into feeling more energetic and revved up. Anaerobic exercises are low-impact exercises (for example, weight lifting, stretching, isometrics) that strengthen the muscles and increase your physical power. The stronger you are, the better you feel, both physically and mentally. Both these forms of exercises combine well and go a long way in reducing stress even when you are facing the most nerve-racking conditions.

Finally, remember however that exercise will help reduce stress only if you stick to a regular workout schedule (say 4–5 days a week), and do it seriously while enjoying it.


	The Effect Of Exercise On Stress Medical research has proved it beyond doubt that exercise is an unsurpassed stress-buster of all times. Not only does exercise keep you in good health – it also relieves all your tensions and anxieties. Exercise busts stress on two levels – physical and mental: i) Physical level: When you exercise your heart strengthens, the immune system is bolstered, your overall health improves as your fats, cholesterol and triglycerides get reduced, and you turn into a lean, mean good-looking machine. Now when you look good, you feel good – in effect, exercise makes you carry yourself with confidence. ii) Mental level: Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain. That is why you always feel relaxed and refreshed after a good session of exercise and look forward to the next session. Exercise also helps promote sound sleep. If you take a look around you, you will find that two out of three people are leading a sedentary, lethargic lifestyle, dumping unhealthy foods into their body all the time. These people are just too plain lazy to take up an exercise regimen. On the other hand, you have people who are so engrossed in their work that they don't have any time left for exercise. Well, both these types of people are doing themselves a big disservice by not exercising. And both will see their stress levels going up with time due to combined effect of physical health problems as well as emotional problems arising out of such lifestyles. Exercising is often equated with "pumping iron". Well, it doesn't necessarily have to be always that. Everyone is made different and so everyone must choose an exercise that he/she enjoys the most. It could be in the form of pumping iron at the gym, performing aerobics, jogging in the park, cycling in the neighborhood, playing a sport, running on your own treadmill, or whatever. But one thing is common – whatever form of exercise you choose to do, it will leave you feeling fresh, invigorated and stress-free. Stressed-out folks can go for a combination of both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises (for example, swimming, running, walking) are moderate but sustained (for 30 minutes optimally) exercises that involve major muscle groups. They increase the heartbeat and respiratory rate, and help circulate more oxygen throughout the body. And more oxygen translates into feeling more energetic and revved up. Anaerobic exercises are low-impact exercises (for example, weight lifting, stretching, isometrics) that strengthen the muscles and increase your physical power. The stronger you are, the better you feel, both physically and mentally. Both these forms of exercises combine well and go a long way in reducing stress even when you are facing the most nerve-racking conditions. Finally, remember however that exercise will help reduce stress only if you stick to a regular workout schedule (say 4–5 days a week), and do it seriously while enjoying it. How To Conquer Stress Stress At Workplace Working Moms Guide To Stress Defeating Stress Defusing Stress The Effect Of Exercise On Stress Turning Stress Into Productivity The Universality Of Stress Children And Stress Stress: Letting Go
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