How Does Exercise Reduce Stress

The human body is a super complexed organism and from time to time it is attacked by stress. This post is about exercise and how does exercise reduce stress? I’ve written many posts about exercise but this post does make me smile. Please let me explain, I’ve taken part in sport for the best part of 40 years. In those glorious years, stress never ever played a major role in my success!

Even though stress and adrenaline are closely linked. The reasons for this I’ll be explaining to you shortly, for now I’m going to say that your body can handle a lot of pressure. We just need to have a firm understanding of how regular exercise benefits our body. And how stress manifests its self.

How does exercise reduce stress.

There’s a connection between exercise and stress. Unfortunately, if stress is the dominant force, then it’s not going to be a good outcome. It as been medically documented how stress can cause major physical and mental health problems, which can lead to death. So, how does exercise reduce stress and help to maintain a healthy balance.

Well, I’d like to start by saying we are designed to handle a small percentage of stress. But not chronic amounts and definitely not for long periods of time! Which can lead to:

• Cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes.
  

• Mental illness, high anxiety and nervous panic.
  

• Excessive weight gain, due to over eating.
  

• Appearance problems, like hair loss and skin issues.
  

These are all problems that can manifest from dealing with long term stress. The best and easiest way to manage and contain your stress levels. Without taking drugs is by adding some physical activity. Any type of physical exercise such as Walking, running, tennis or even yoga can benefit you. So, are you getting enough exercise?

Taking part in exercise releases endorphins, that gives your body and mind a good feeling. This same feeling is what is required to reduce our stress levels.

The benefits of regular exercise.

Once, you start a physical regime you’ll notice the benefits. Which will range from having better moods to an improved sleep pattern. The first steps for anyone looking to start a physical routine is a visit to your doctor. Once, you have been given a clean bill of health, then it’s time to get active. The facts are clear on how exercise can improve your stress levels.

Now, how does exercise reduce stress? Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins into the body. The best form of exercise is usually aerobic and should be undertaken for at least 30 minutes. The great news is that once exercise as been undertaken and your endorphins are released. The feeling of relaxation and contentment will last for a number of hours!

Which is similar to how calories are burned, during and after exercise. We are encouraged to take some form of physical exercise to help keep our body and mind healthy. The recommended amount is 2 – 3 times per, for no less than 30 minutes. Now, if you put the 2 concepts together, burning calories and how does exercise reduce stress. You’ll notice the link and realize that exercise should play a part in everyone’s life.

Understanding stress symptoms in your body.

It is a known fact that if our life contains too much stress, it can result in death. I have mentioned earlier that we live with certain level of stress, throughout our life. But when the stress levels become extreme, the result is never good. So, how does stress manifests itself? Well, the easiest to recognize is our mood and behaviour. When our daily life puts us under pressure, we become agitated and in some cases lash out towards our loved ones.

Secondly, you start feeling fatigued, even though you’re getting a good nights sleep. This in itself can lead to bigger problems and will if this pattern continues. Headaches can surface and your blood pressure can increase to an unhealthy level. These are all happening on the inside of your body and if left unchecked can cause problems.

But on the outside of your body you might start noticing changes in your skin tone and texture. Tiredness will leave you with dark rings around your eyes, not specially because of stress. But related to a lack of sleep due to stress.

Understanding, how does exercise reduce stress.

The key to staying healthy is to find the balance. A balance between work, play and food. This is because one interacts with the other. Your body needs a steady intake of food and water, but it also needs exercise and rest! To take away any of these sections can and will lead to health issues.

Please let me explain what I mean,

• We need food for growth and tissue repair. But food is also our fuel for exercise and life.
  

• Our body needs water, the recommended average amount is 2 – 3 litres per day.
  

• We are encouraged to get between 7 – 8.5 hours of sleep each night. Some people function better on less!
  

• Exercise 3 – 4 times a week for a minimum of 30 – 35 minutes each time.
  

To control our stress levels, all the above must be balanced. One, encourages the other and together they will improve your quality of life.

My conclusion on how does exercise reduce stress.

Life can be very complicated! We all have our goals in life and from the moment we leave education, we start chasing them. Unfortunately, the pressures to achieve our targets in life can lead to stress. Again, unfortunately, something we might not notice, unless we already live a life enhanced with physical exercise. Most of us will not realize the importance of exercise, never mind how does exercise reduce stress.

My advice is always to live your life. Get an understanding of what you need to do to keep your body and mind healthy and run with it. Stress is all around us and we will encounter it no matter what we do. The key to a healthy life and lifestyle is the knowledge to understand, see and react to what we have seen.  As always I hope you have enjoyed this post and you have found knowledge and comfort from what you have read.  (I would also like to remind you, I am not a doctor.  I have written this post using my experience as an athlete and sports coach)

But if you have enjoyed it, please share it and if you have a question or a comment, leave them below.

To your continued health. UTG.