Have you ever been so stressed or angry that you wanted to just hit something?

My stress can get the best of me sometimes. I get so overwhelmed and I get in my own head that sometimes it’s hard to handle.

The two things in my life that get me through those stressful times is prayer and exercise, and most of the time I’m doing them simultaneously.

(P.S. follow along HERE for your daily dose of inspiration)

As we all know, exercise increases your overall health, it adds some pep to your step, and can help decrease a lot of health problems that come up in life. There is also proven research showing just how much exercise does help you in those overwhelming stressful moments.

• Let the endorphins fly – In the brain there are neurotransmitters released that respond to pain or stress called endorphins. Commonly called “the runner’s high”, they help calm anxiety and diminish the perception of pain. Exercise, hiking, swimming, etc. are great ways to release them which in turn helps minimize the stress you are experiencing!
• Boosts your mood – I know most of the time when I am angry or stressed I feel like I could run for miles, and those are the times wehre I usually do (because I don’t really enjoy running otherwise). But do you know what usually happens when I am done? I almost forget about what it was that I was so stressed/anxious about and happiness or contentment comes over me. It’s pretty cool that exercise can do that!
• Improves sleep – Usually, when you are stressed or you have a lot on your mind it is hard to get a good night’s sleep. By exercising, your body will have done productive work which will have made it tired, making it easier to go to sleep. By exercising and getting a sufficient amount of rest, your anxiety and depression will subside as well.

Now that we’ve seen the benefits of what exercise can do for your body during times of stress, let’s go over some basic steps about exercise!

• It’s a lifestyle–not a one-time fix all. It’s a gradual learning process and it takes time and consistency to see long lasting results. So don’t forget to crawl before you walk and walk before you run, and be patient with yourself.
• Have someone in your life there to be your accountability partner. Whether it be a family member, friend, or you hire a personal trainer; having accountability will be the best thing you could do for yourself in your fitness journey.
• Set goals for yourself and find ways to achieve your goals. If your goal is to reduce stress in your life and work is a place that stresses you out, go on a walk or go to the gym during your lunch break to get moving and get away. There’s always a way, you have to want to find it, that’s all  🙂

Go forth and be fruitful.

Source: mayoclinic.org