Could Exercise be the Cure? Well I would say that!

 "The Exercise Cure" by Jordan D. Metzl, MD 

Here is a long quote. Persevere, it is worth it.

"Exercise can be very effective in helping you prevent and overcome the symptoms of stress. Vigorous exercise busies the brain and gives it a break from mulling over the stressful situation.

Exercise also causes cortisol levels to drop acutely reducing symptoms of anxiety and restlessness and helping you to focus. If stress is affecting sleep, regular exercise can also help restore the normal circadian cycle, leading to better sleep at night and more focus during the day. Some hard-charging, stressed-out types engage in physical activities they feel they should do for their health or appearance. Exercise can thus become another obligation on a never-ending to-do list. So, select a form of exercise based on preference and enjoyment.”

 

As a matter of fact, there were sessions on Stress and Exercise in the Fitness conference, Filex, that I attended last weekend.  Speakers did discuss this very thing.  – Exercise is a stress, and to come to the gym and to do a big program when a person is stressed, will mean a less than optimal performance. One lesson for me is that on “off” days, it is okay not to do the hardest workout.

The second point of interest from the conference was Motion and Emotion.  The mood-changing power of exercise. 

Anyone who exercises regularly already knows this.  For me, I just have a better day on the days I exercise.

We can consider three different stresses. These are all manifested in our bodies.

Eustress is the way we want to feel, stimulated, provoked in a positive way, the sense of flow. We get things done.  We enjoy the challenge and succeed.  YES. 

It is the opposite of Distress, from say a sudden mishap or bad news…

Worst of all is Chronic stress. We are bathed in the inflammatory hormone cortisol. It affects our mood, our sleep, our weight. 

The book “The Exercise Cure recommends:-

 

• TAKE A BREATH.  

Modalities  that include attention to breathing-yoga, tai chi, Feldenkrais, and Pilates, among others—may be particularly helpful in relieving the symptoms of stress, as focus on breath helps slow respiration and heart rate.

Ann's note:-  Remember to breathe through the nose to reduce stress and inflammation

    • GO AEROBIC. A 2008 study indicated that a lunchtime aerobics class lasting from 45 to 60 minutes was an effective stress reducer, improving the mood and focus of white-collar workers, as well as the ability to get along with their coworkers. The mood-boosting effects of exercise only accrued on days when the workers exercised—so when you’re facing a challenging day, it may be all the more important to get that workout in.

 

    • GO OUTSIDE. If the weather cooperates, exercising outdoors may be more effective  in reducing stress than working out in a gym. A 2011 review of studies published in Environmental Science and Technology found that people who exercised outdoors experienced “greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy, and positive engagement, together with decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression,” compared with people who exercised indoors.