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Want to Relieve Stress? Exercise!

By Expert HERWriter
 
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I am a huge proponent of exercise as a means to create longevity in your life.

Exercise has been shown to help improve your mood, combat chronic diseases and manage your weight.

It strengthens your lungs and heart, improves your sleep and enhances your sex life.

While all of that is very important one of the best benefits of exercise is to relieve your stress!

It doesn’t matter what type of exercise, be it weightlifting or swimming, it can help reduce stress. Exercise boosts your endorphins, which are hormonal substances in the brain that create a sense of euphoria sometimes called a “runner's high”.

It helps you to focus on your body movements and redirects your thoughts away from the stresses of your day. Regular exercise elevates mood and reduces mild cases of anxiety and depression.

The key to using exercise as a tool to improve your health and reduce your stress is to start slow and do something you enjoy.

While one of my best friends loves the gym I don’t connect with gym life. So when she heads to the gym I am headed to the yoga studio or the swimming pool.

Once you have found something you like to do start slowly by doing light exercise such as walking, or tai chi for a short time, maybe even 5-10 minutes a day.

It might seem like starting with 10 minutes of exercise per day will never get you to the U.S. guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate exercise five to six times per week.

Don’t stress about it. If you focus on enjoying it, releasing stress and being consistent, you will build up to it.

Moderate exercise is defined as getting your heart rate up to a point where it is difficult to have a conversation while exercising.

You may be surprised to find that consistent exercise each day will increase your stamina, and within six to nine months you may attain your 30 minutes of exercise daily.

The best part is that you will be less stressed and in better shape. Exercise is a win-win all the way around.

Live Vibrantly,

Dr. Dae

Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com

Dr. Dae's Bio:

“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.

Sources:

"At-A-Glance: A Fact Sheet for Professionals." Health.gov | Your Portal to Health Information from the U.S. Government. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2012.
http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/factsheetprof.aspx

"Exercise and stress: Get moving to combat stress - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/SR00036

Reviewed July 10, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment2 Comments

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Anonymous

Looks cool, I never knew you could post about it, good to know thanks! You show very latest and important things. This is very nice post! I will bookmark this blog.Let us know about myself

May 5, 2014 - 11:56pm

Good tips for using exercise to reduce stress from JJ Virgin: http://youtu.be/qHK3m_yyUhc Love her!

July 10, 2012 - 4:34pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.