Benefits to Exercise:
Common Forms and Benefits
There are so many benefits to exercise. Exercise is known to be one of the
BEST stress reducers! It's not only good for the body but it's also good for the
mind . Exercise burns negative stress hormones, therefore reducing the negative
effects stress has on the body and mind.
The
American Council on Exercise
offers a free information sheet called
"How Exercise Can Control Stress"
Exercise is important in your recovery process because it
will help your body rid itself of excess adrenaline. Your body
can only produces so much adrenaline each day and if you are
taking steps towards recovery, exercise will help burn off some
of that adrenaline so that the excess doesn't follow you into
your practice sessions.
Exercise also increases your natural brain chemicals called endorphins. These
endorphins create a "feel good" feeling that produces a sense of well-being that
is positive and energizing. Endorphins also act as your body's natural pain
reliever. So it is safe to say that exercise not only helps the mind but the
body as well.
Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress,
diminish feelings of anxiety and depression, and is also known
to improve your sleep cycle at night. Along with these
benefits, exercise offers other benefits that can have positive
effects on your health. Some of these would be, lowering blood
pressure, strengthening your bones and muscles, strengthening
your heart, and reducing unwanted body fat.
Even though exercise has been proven to help with anxiety and
depression, it is common for people to underestimate it's power
for health and well-being. It is unfortunate that many overlook
the long term benefits . Exercising is most likely the last
thing you feel like doing when your anxious, and probably more
dreaded if you are depressed, but it is so important no matter
how you look at it. You have to see it as one of the most
important tools in your "recovery toolbox". It is one of those
tools that can help you find recovery and keep you balanced when
managing the stress in your life.
There are many different forms of exercise that can help
alleviate the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
It's important to find an exercise that you enjoy. If you enjoy
the exercise, you will be more likely to make it a part of your
new healthy lifestyle. Exercise can be fun!
If you have pre-existing health problems or even if it has
been a long time since you were on an exercise routine, it is a
good idea that you discuss any new routine with your physician.
Getting approval from your physician will help you feel more at
ease when doing something new that is physically challenging.
Some common forms of exercise include :
Aerobic Exercise - such as dancing, hiking, tennis,
walking (brisk), swimming, cycling, basketball, jumping rope,
rebounding, etc....
Flexibility Exercises - such as Yoga and Thai Chi
Strengthening and Toning Exercises - such as free
weights, sit-ups, pull-ups....etc. A really great strengthening
and toning exercise is Pilates. Not only does this strengthen
your muscles using your stomach as your core muscle it exercises
your heart and helps build balance and flexibility.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises - These exercises
are meant to help train your mind and body to come together and
train your muscles to relax on command. This exercise is
extremely important in helping you overcome an anxiety disorder.
Please do not overlook this exercise, it's highly effective when
done regularly. To learn more, visit
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Isometric Exercises - These exercises use the muscles
in an isolated way. They are easily applied while in everyday
situations, including driving, sitting, etc. Please visit
Isometric Exercises for some ideas on how to use these
exercises effectively.
Meditation and/or Visualization - If, for some reason,
you are unable to use any of the above suggested forms of
exercise you can practice the exercise of Meditation and
visualization. As with progressive muscle relaxation, the more
you practice this form of exercise, the better you will become.
Meditation and visualization are extremely customizable to fit
your lifestyle and even your religious, spiritual background.
Many people think of meditation as being Yoga and although this
is one form of meditation, meditation has goes further back in
time than you think. To learn more, visit
Visualization Exercises.
There are many benefits to
exercise!
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