Let exercise take the stress away
By Thea Shoemaker 09/03/2009
When all else fails, let exercise be your ultimate outlet for stress! I’m a firm believer in physical activity as a way to become mentally at peace, and I believe that exercise helps with stress … even stress of the worst kind!
My dear friend lost her husband tragically. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for exercise and keeping her body and spirit healthy, she would be in a much different place than she is now. Currently, she has love again and is in the best shape of her entire life.
Having been one all my life, I know how women work. I know what makes us tick. We need to work things out in our own way, and nothing anyone can say will change what it is that we set out to accomplish. But when our world gets knocked off course, or a tragedy happens, we all have different ways of dealing with it.
This is the important piece: we must slow down, embrace the feelings that we feel (even if they are hurt and anger), and let it out! I believe that exercise is a big factor in healing grief, pain and even resentment.
Some like weightlifting to let out aggression, others are into kickboxing or other aerobic classes, and some find comfort in yoga and Pilates. Personally, I run. Do whatever gets your blood pumping, and focus only on you; you’re allowed to be selfish for a while. I believe that’s an important part of healing.
I’m not going to get into how exercise makes you lose weight and all that stuff right now, because I’m talking about keeping your body healthy and your mind sound. The best stress reliever is a little exercise, whatever it is.
Of course, we all know that exercise releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that increase the feeling of happiness and well-being. But did you know that any type of exercise, whether it’s walking or an intense yoga class, will bring sugars and oxygen to the brain that your body needs when you are under stress and thinking intensely? When you think hard, your brain works harder, which can increase toxic waste in your body. Exercise can clear up foggy thinking by literally moving waste out when blood flow through the brain increases.
When it comes to stress, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a new job, divorce or anything that’s stressful, it doesn’t matter what exercise you choose. Just choose it. Working out is truly one of the only ways we as humans can work it (stress) out.
But always, always, remember: you’re worth it!
Thea Shoemaker, CPT, has provided in-home personal training in Ventura County since 1996. You can reach her at thea@tsfitnesssystems.com or (805) 985-7867. Or visit her Web site at www.TSFitnessSystems.com.
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