Exercise and Managing Stress

Life is full of unexpected turns and twists! Some are joyous experiences while others can leave us feeling down or stressed. Stress is a very common emotion that affects all of us at some point in our lives. When we feel stressed it is very common to reach for things that comfort us. For some this may be food, alcohol or even drugs. Instead of making us feel better these things can leave us feeling worse.

It is important to take care of yourself when you are feeling down or stressed. Taking up a form of exercise has numerous benefits for managing stress relief. In addition to losing weight exercise can help release negative emotions, decrease stress hormones and improve your overall health and longevity.

If you are someone who needs lots of motivation to get up and moving, then the word ‘exercise’ can seem like a huge step to take, however it doesn’t have to be. Start with a simple activity that you find easy to do and enjoyable. For example doing some gardening or some gentle stretching can be a great way to start. Then gradually increase the time you spend doing these activities and once you feel comfortable try something different. Exercising with a friend is also a great motivator, so if you have a friend you can meet up with for a walk or a bike ride this will make the thought of ‘exercise’ more bearable.

Looking after yourself is the key to a happy and healthy life. Learning new ways to keep yourself energised will help keep your stress down so you can enjoy life!