Numerous research has been conducted on the effects of exercise to combat and reduce stress. In my own practice working with corporate people, I have witnessed firsthand the damaging physiological effects of stress; soaring blood pressure, panic attacks, dry mouth, tension, tight chest, sweating are only some of the early symptoms which develop as a result of stress.
Exercise is an amazing activity for combating stress. It serves as a circuit breaker, interrupting the negative feedback loop from the body to the brain that heightens anxiety in a stressful situation. Exercises increases brain function and neurotransmitters within the brain, allowing stronger and healthier neural connections to develop.
Exercise boosts dopamine, which improves mood and feelings of wellness and jump-starts the attention system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter within the brain. Its function is to regulate movement, emotion, motivation and the feeling of pleasure. It is the reward centre of the brain.
Serotonin is equally affected by exercise. It regulates mood, impulse control and self esteem. It also helps offset stress by counteracting cortisol which is the stress hormone within the body. Researchers noted that exercise spikes levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (stress hormone) for up to 1 hour - 90 minutes, allowing calm and a sense of clarity within the body.
The best form of exercise should nourish your body. You should feel energised and revitalised an hour after the activity. Over the years, I have incorporated many various forms of exercise into my daily regime. In my youth, it consisted primarily of cardio-based exercise such as running, cycling and tennis. I then transitioned into resistance training during my twenties. These days in my late thirties, I have found incorporating yoga and meditation as a form of relaxation and movement in my routine. I am energised and feel my muscles stretched and toned as I adopt certain poses. It is also calming for the mind and requires some degree of practice and discipline. I don't think I was ready for yoga when I was in my twenties, since I was focussed on fast movements that required exertion.
Depending on where you are with you health and wellness will largely be influenced by age. I would encourage you to find activities that you enjoy first of all. I found over the years that many of my clients hated going to the gym for many reasons. Like most things in life, we avoid those things we're not proficient at. Once we develop some learning and practise around, we invariably become better and develop self confidence along the way.
Exercise that will serve you well will include some kind of resistance based training, cardio and yoga. Each one addresses different functions within the body. Teamed with sound nutritional and sleep etiquette, you'll undoubtedly find your life enriched through regular movement.
I've overheard people expressing how tired and lazy they felt when they didn't exercise for some time. Sometimes life takes over and we find ourselves travelling for work or inundated with work and family commitments. The key is to strike a balance and not allow one area to overshadow the other. Allow exercise to be habit forming in your life. If you're reading this article and are new to exercise, allow yourself some time to find your rhythm with what serves you best. Be open to exploring new and exciting activities. Group exercise is also a great way to get fit and meet people at the same time. Depending on where you are in your journey, there is a great deal on offer. There's no rush to get there quickly, so enjoy the journey and have fun!
If you enjoyed this article by Tony Fahkry, why not gain access to Tony's full body of knowledge by getting a copy of his new book 'The Power to Navigate Life'
The Power to Navigate Life is arguably the most complete and powerful teachings on the mastering of life. The Power to Navigate Life is your opportunity to experience a rewarding life from the very first page. Visit http://www.tonyfahkry.com to get your copy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610
Exercise is an amazing activity for combating stress. It serves as a circuit breaker, interrupting the negative feedback loop from the body to the brain that heightens anxiety in a stressful situation. Exercises increases brain function and neurotransmitters within the brain, allowing stronger and healthier neural connections to develop.
Serotonin is equally affected by exercise. It regulates mood, impulse control and self esteem. It also helps offset stress by counteracting cortisol which is the stress hormone within the body. Researchers noted that exercise spikes levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (stress hormone) for up to 1 hour - 90 minutes, allowing calm and a sense of clarity within the body.
The best form of exercise should nourish your body. You should feel energised and revitalised an hour after the activity. Over the years, I have incorporated many various forms of exercise into my daily regime. In my youth, it consisted primarily of cardio-based exercise such as running, cycling and tennis. I then transitioned into resistance training during my twenties. These days in my late thirties, I have found incorporating yoga and meditation as a form of relaxation and movement in my routine. I am energised and feel my muscles stretched and toned as I adopt certain poses. It is also calming for the mind and requires some degree of practice and discipline. I don't think I was ready for yoga when I was in my twenties, since I was focussed on fast movements that required exertion.
Depending on where you are with you health and wellness will largely be influenced by age. I would encourage you to find activities that you enjoy first of all. I found over the years that many of my clients hated going to the gym for many reasons. Like most things in life, we avoid those things we're not proficient at. Once we develop some learning and practise around, we invariably become better and develop self confidence along the way.
Exercise that will serve you well will include some kind of resistance based training, cardio and yoga. Each one addresses different functions within the body. Teamed with sound nutritional and sleep etiquette, you'll undoubtedly find your life enriched through regular movement.
I've overheard people expressing how tired and lazy they felt when they didn't exercise for some time. Sometimes life takes over and we find ourselves travelling for work or inundated with work and family commitments. The key is to strike a balance and not allow one area to overshadow the other. Allow exercise to be habit forming in your life. If you're reading this article and are new to exercise, allow yourself some time to find your rhythm with what serves you best. Be open to exploring new and exciting activities. Group exercise is also a great way to get fit and meet people at the same time. Depending on where you are in your journey, there is a great deal on offer. There's no rush to get there quickly, so enjoy the journey and have fun!
If you enjoyed this article by Tony Fahkry, why not gain access to Tony's full body of knowledge by getting a copy of his new book 'The Power to Navigate Life'
The Power to Navigate Life is arguably the most complete and powerful teachings on the mastering of life. The Power to Navigate Life is your opportunity to experience a rewarding life from the very first page. Visit http://www.tonyfahkry.com to get your copy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610
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