Exercise isn’t just good for us because it burns calories, and build muscle. In fact, there is another facet to moving our body regularly that is advantageous too, and it’s that it can do wonders to help us both express our stress, as well as reduce it, making it much easier to deal with. You can even find out what some of the best types of exercise for stress relief are below.
Running
First of all, if you are suffering from a lot of stress and anxiety running can be a fabulous activity to take up. The reason for this is that it is an exercise that uses a large number of muscles in the body. Something that means any stress hormones like cortisol are quickly burned off and replaced with pain managing ones like endorphins.
Additionally, running works so well for stress because it provides a space to just be, almost meditative in its essence, where you can think things over, or just focused on your breaths or the steps as you run. Something that can be incredibly soothing, and therefore is a fantastic remedy for stress.
The best thing about running as a stress management activity is that you need very little equipment to do it. In fact, as long as you have a pair of decent shoes and some road, you are good to go, making it accessible stress-relieving activity for people from all walks of life.
Yoga
At the other end of the spectrum is the activity of Yoga. Instead of moving forward with cardio exercise, Yoga is more geared towards stationary moves, stretches, and poses.
Of course, the reason that Yoga can be so relaxing is that it is designed to twist and stretch the body, and so relieves tension and buildup in the muscles and joints.
It is also a practice that is routed within a spiritual tradition, and as such can be used as a kind of moving meditation, one that allows you to get in better touch with your body, but without becoming attached or fused to your thought and sensations. Something that can make even the most stressful situation, more comfortable to bear.
Happily, there are many ways to integrate the practice of yoga into your life. One is to find a place like the yoga studio that runs classes where you can learn or develop your practice. Although, many people also augment this by buying their own mat and blocks and practicing in their home with a book, DVD, or guided lesson as well.
Boxing
Lastly, when it comes to stress relief, many people turn to the activity of boxing. After all, for the majority of us stress manifests as anger and being able to get this out in a safe, cathartic, and productive way can work wonders.
Of course, the intense focus, and effort needed to box can really help take you out of your current problematic situation and allow you some relief as well. While the intense cardio workout will also have a similar effect to that of running, and as you can do it at home, or in a specialized gym its a stress relieving exercise that is accessible to most people.
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