Unfortunately, 2020 has been an unusually stressful year for just about everyone. The good news is that one of the best ways to manage stress can be done for free and requires a minimal time commitment.
A simple exercise routine can make all the difference when it comes to stress management. Yet, despite its effectiveness, exercise is one of the most underutilized tools for managing stress. Here are some ways that physical activity can help with stress and how you can successfully start a new exercise routine.
How Exercise Can Help With Stress Management
Exercise is useful for managing stress because it releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are sometimes called “feel-good chemicals.” These neurotransmitters are responsible for the feeling of a runner’s high, but they can be released during any type of physical activity.
Along with its mood-boosting benefits, regular exercise can also improve your sleep quality, boost your self-confidence, and increase your energy levels. Exercise effectively reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and can also be a welcome distraction from everyday problems.
Starting an Exercise Routine
If you are new to exercise, you may want to consult your healthcare provider before starting a new workout routine. It’s also best to ease into new habits, even healthy ones. For example, if your goal is to start running every morning, you will probably need to begin by including walking intervals. Once you’ve built up some endurance, you can start to push yourself harder.
Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Life
If you can make it a normal part of your life, exercise is an excellent option for long-term stress management. However, this requires some discipline. If you are having difficulty finding time to exercise every day, try to schedule it in. It may be helpful to go to bed earlier so that you can wake up an hour earlier each morning.
Create a Routine You Enjoy
Do your best to create a workout routine that you genuinely enjoy, rather than one that you dread. If you look forward to your workouts, you will be less likely to skip them. You could try running, weightlifting, dancing, swimming, bicycling, yoga, or a combination of them all.
Exercise has numerous benefits and can go a long way in reducing stress. So, it doesn’t matter which activities you choose, just that you get yourself moving a little bit every day.