Give Stress The Ol' One-Two Punch With Exercise!

Exercise and stress: 

Get moving to manage stress

You know that exercise does your body good, right???  BUT....you're too busy and stressed to fit it into your routine. Hold on a second!! There's good news when it comes to exercise and stress.

The mental benefit of aerobic exercise actually has a neurochemical component!! Exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins (chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators.)

Relieving stress on bikes: Cycle-Therapy!

Exercise,in almost any form, can act as a stress reliever. Being active boosts your "feel-good" endorphins and actually DISTRACTS you from daily worries.At Crank It Up, we always say that NO MATTER what is going on outside of our doors, you LEAVE THAT BAGGAGE RIGHT OUTSIDE the minute you come in....  Yes, it will be waiting for you when you leave, but, because of the endorphin release that you receive while working out, you are much better able to tackle those issues when they greet you as you leave. 

Virtually any form of exercise can act as a stress reliever. It doesn't matter if you are an athlete or if you are completely out of shape,  you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management. 

Read on to discover the connection between exercise and stress relief — and why exercise should be part of your stress management plan.

Exercise and stress relief

Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.

• It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner's high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike also can contribute to this same feeling.
• It's meditation in motion. After a cycle class, kickboxing or even a walk, you'll often find that you've forgotten the day's irritations and concentrated only on your body's movements.
  As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you remain calm and clear in everything you do.
• It improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence, it can relax you, and it can lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Exercise can also improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. All of these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.  

The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators.

So... ARE YOU READY to KNOCK OUT THAT STRESS?? 

THERE'S NO TIME LIKE NOW...START TODAY! 

FIND SOMETHING THAT YOU LIKE TO DO.. 

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE A BEGINNER...

AND TAKE IT FROM THERE.... 

YOU...CAN...DO...THIS!!

Taken from the Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/welcome