STRESS AND EXERCISE: FINDING THE BALANCE
In today's world, stress is inevitable as it sneaks its way into our daily life's, hustle, work, deadlines, personal expectations and goals, school children runs,meeting up with family responsibilities, market runs and many more. Whether as a working class or business person, stress still finds its way in. In all these daily struggles, stress hangs around our neck like a tag. On the other hand, exercise is seen as a remedy to managing stress. A good session leaves you lighter, happier and more energetic with calm nerves.
The Thin line: Exercise helps in reducing stress but can also add to stress. Here is the twist; Overdoing or wrong approach to exercise of any kind can result or add to stress. Understanding the balance in between is key to a successful exercise session.
In this article, you get to explore the thin line between stress and exercise, their relativity, similarities and how to achieve a successful exercise that is effective to relieving stress without burning out.
Impacts Of Stress On The Body
Stress is unavoidable and it's a natural response to challenges. When a body is stressed it releases the cortisol and adrenaline hormones which prepares the body to either fight or flight. This state weakens your heartbeat, giving tension to your muscles. Chronic stress is when your body starts in the fight or flight state for too long and can harm your well-being. Prolong stay in such State can lead to
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Weak immunity
- Heart disease
- Anxiety.
This is why discovering healthy ways to manage stress is a big FLEX.
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Exercise, The Stress Reliever
Exercise is also called the medicine of the mind. When you shake and move your body in the right manner,your body releases the feel good hormone (Endorphins and Serotonin).
Endorphins: Is a feel good hormone that is a natural painkiller that promotes pleasure and relaxation
Serotonin: Is another feel good hormone that regulates appetite, mood and sleep.
Exercise helps reduce your cortisol level and the state of fight or flight and give you a calm feeling afterwards.
Benefit Of Exercise Includes
Social interaction: Community or group workouts provide support that reduces loneliness and stress.
Boost Energy: Constant workout boost strength, stamina thereby making life easier with less stress
Kicks out Insomnia: Regular exercise helps regulate and improve your sleep which stress interrupts.
Enhanced mood: Taking a walk, Dancing,Jogging or even swimming lifts your mood and makes you feel better.
Exercise to relieve stress really works if only done in moderation.
The Misconception: The tricky twist here about stress and exercise is that you could be exercising to reduce stress but you might be adding to the stress. Imagine you move a truck load of filled water jerrycans and call it exercise, that's stress except when done in moderation and according to your stamina.
The wrong approach to exercise can make you feel worse.
The Thin Line Between Stress and Exercise
Going over limits: Putting your body to go beyond its limits without having enough rest can turn out to be stressful. Over workout can lead to internal tear, tiredness and high cortisol release and in return causing the same stress you're trying to relieve.
Pressure to exercise: Exercising is personal and it's a decision too. It's a goal not a competition, when exercise becomes a thing to keep up with it causes unprepared and unnecessary pressure, that trying to meet up feeling which is wrong! Exercise should be fun and a stress less task, No pressure.
How To Find The Balance Between The Two
The foam is to make exercise an activity of relaxation and ease not a stress trigger. These few ways help maintain the balance;
Start small: When you're new to exercising/working out, there's this feeling to do more trying to impress or wanting to do more but it's not so. Don't push yourself into a rigorous routine that gets you stressed. Start small simple workouts and increase gradually with time .
Choose Activities You Enjoy: Exercising is not about lifting heavy instruments or using gym instruments. A simple walk, dance, or swimming can help relieve stress. Always enjoy the activity you want for exercise.
Progression not Perfection: Comparison is another mental stress. Celebrate your little progress, focus on progress not perfection. If after 10 push ups make you relaxed, why doing 20 to prove a point and make yourself feel worse?
Exercise, Medicine for stress: Research shows that moderate intentional exercise like cycling, walking for at least 30 minutes 2-5times a week is an effective way to relieve stress.
The key point here is MODERATION. Exercise is not a punishment when balanced rather it becomes a powerful tool for the following benefits
- Low energy
- Strengthening overall health
- Improves sleeps
- Lowers cortisol level
- Boost self confidence
- Looking fits
- Makes you feel lighter and happier.
WhatsnextNG conclusion
Stress is a constant part of modern life, fueled by work, family demands, and daily responsibilities. While exercise is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress, overdoing it or following the wrong routine can actually increase stress levels.
This article explores the delicate line between stress and exercise. It explains how the body reacts to stress by releasing cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and heart issues. It also highlights how moderate exercise releases feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin, boosting mood, improving sleep, and lowering cortisol levels.
Key insights include:
Start Small: Avoid intense workouts at the beginning to prevent burnout.
Enjoyable Activities: Walking, dancing, swimming, or light cycling can be just as effective as heavy gym sessions.
Progress Over Perfection: Focus on gradual improvement instead of competition.
Moderation Is Key: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity 2–5 times a week to relieve stress without overtaxing the body.
Balance is everything:
Mindful, intentional and consistent exercise is most effective in relieving stress but when done, it should be done without pressure to avoid stress instead of relieve. The gap between stress and exercise is just BALANCE. Choose activities that are enjoyable and simple. Listening to what your body says and focusing on progress makes exercise become a friendly supporter of our daily life in easing stress. Exercise also improves mental well-being, so anything you feel overwhelmed or losing it, remember that sometimes taking a walk around your neighborhood or a light stretch might be all you need to balance the gap.
Share with us how you manage stress and simple activities do to keep exercise and stress balanced.
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