Everyone has had those days when that smile turned upside down and they needed a mood lift. These are stressful days when nothing seems to go right. How do you shake that negative mood? You can do it with relaxation techniques or exercise. Both can bring multiple benefits to help you in other areas. Relaxation techniques, like deep breathing and meditation, not only help you relax, but they can also help lower your blood pressure and lift your spirits. Exercise boosts your circulation, helps build muscles, keeps bones strong, lifts your spirits, and much more. Exercise is so good at fighting depression and anxiety that mental health specialists use it as adjuvant therapy that works as well as some medications and all side effects are beneficial.
Getting relief from stress makes a difference.
The fight-or-flight was beneficial for cavemen. It changed the body so man could run faster or fight better when danger was present. Stress triggered the flow of hormones that made the changes. The running or fighting burned off stress hormones. Today, stressors include things like traffic jams and angry customers. Running and fighting aren’t appropriate responses. Exercise helps burn off stress hormones. Meditation and relaxation techniques help prevent stress from building and dissipate any felt.
That movement also triggers natural painkillers that also make you feel good.
Relaxation techniques can make you feel good by calming your mind and relaxing your body. Besides burning off stress hormones, exercise causes the body to create feel-good hormones. Hormones like dopamine and endorphins are natural painkillers. They reduce the pain caused by fighting or exhaustion from running. They provide a feeling of well-being and put you into a happier state.
Regularly exercising, using relaxation techniques, or doing both helps prevent bad moods.
You’ll be armed with resilience when you exercise regularly and can relax your body and mind quickly. While both improve your mood, exercise can help you in other ways. It can help you build strength, endurance, and confidence. You’ll walk taller and feel better. When you feel good it’s easier to stay happier. You’ll have more energy and can deal with problems constructively instead of getting upset.
- Whether you learn relaxation techniques or exercise, you’re taking charge of your life. Most sour moods come from feeling like you don’t have control. Both prevent that from happening.
- Working out can change your focus from your problem to your workout. The less you think about a problem, the more distant it seems and the more likely you are to find a solution.
- You’ll sleep better when you exercise. Adequate quality sleep can prevent mood shifts from occurring. It doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy but it does mean you’ll handle problems better.
- Always check with your healthcare professional before you start a program of exercise. They’ll probably be pleased that you chose to start one.
For more information, contact us today at Hawaii Fit Camp!