Stress affects your body negatively. It can make you sick and lead to heart conditions, accelerated aging, and premature death. Life can be more enjoyable, and you can avoid mental issues like depression and anxiety when you control stress. One way of managing stress is with breathing exercises or meditation. Another way is by exercising. It can improve both mental and physical health.
Your body changes when you’re under stress.
Stress triggers a flood of hormones that set off the fight or flight response. It causes your blood to shift from functions not involved in running or fighting to your extremities. It increases blood pressure and heart rate and makes other changes to ensure survival or escape. Exercise mimics the act of running or fighting. It pushes your body to burn off the stress hormones. The body then replaces them with hormones that make you feel better and act like natural painkillers.
When you exercise, you increase oxygen to the brain.
Exercise boosts circulation. That means more nutrients and oxygen are sent to the brain. It helps you think more clearly and is part of the natural plan to escape danger. It can help improve your mood. Without burning off stress hormones, a person can exhibit anxiety and depression. It’s the reason many mental health professionals use exercise as an adjunct therapy. It works better than some medication.
Stress can cause a mental loop that replays the stressful situation continuously.
If you’ve ever been in a stressful situation, whether it elicits anger or fear, you probably played it over in your head several times as if you were watching a movie. Some things are dramatic enough that professional help is necessary. Other times, it may be an annoyance, like another driver that cuts you off. You play it continuously in your head, getting mad at each viewing. Exercising can break the loop and redirect your thoughts.
- Exercise can act as a form of meditation. You’ve heard of runners getting in the zone or athletes developing a sole focus on the ball, ignoring everything else around them.
- Exercise helps improve your posture. When you walk and stand tall, you feel more in command and don’t succumb to small stressors. It helps prevent stress from overtaking your body.
- Chronic stress can overtake your body. Exercise not only burns off stress, but it also helps improve your microbiome. It boosts the population of beneficial microbes that elevate your mood and emotional well-being.
- If you suffer from debilitating stress or depression, always check with a professional before exercising. If you’re doing it to lift your mood, a professional can ensure you aren’t suffering from something more serious. Also, check with your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program.
For more information, contact us today at Hawaii Fit Camp!