Life is stressful! Shocking, isn
’t it?! No, not really. Stressors come in all shapes and sizes,
and they are a part of our daily existence.
Life is stressful! Shocking, isn’t it?! No, not really. Stressors come in all shapes and sizes, and they are a part of our daily existence.
Everyone feels some sort of anxiety. Whether you are 50 years old, and concerned about your job, or, 10 years old and worried about your math test, you have stress in your life.
However, stress is not always a bad thing. The response we exhibit, commonly known as “fight or flight,” actually has many benefits.
It gives us the strength and endurance to cope with emergencies and it sharpens our wits during important events. When stress turns into a negative emotional state, we refer to it as distress.
The difference among us is the way we handle adversity. Some people take on unhealthy habits such as drinking too much or overeating. A more beneficial release is exercise.
Studies suggest that physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression that sedentary people.
Experts agree that exercise is one of the remedies for stress. It also may provide a healthy diversion from the main sources, such as our jobs or family.
Furthermore, a good workout may give you a sense of personal power and control that help ward off feelings of depression or anxiety.
Exercise releases chemicals in the brain that help us deal with stress.
In many cases, exercise acts as an anti-depressant by increasing the brains concentration of norepinephrine and endorphins, which are examples of these chemicals.
The release of these substances has been shown to possibly help the brain deal with its stressors more efficiently, as well as naturally relieve pain and enhance feelings of well-being and relaxation.
Chemicals known as corticosteroids and adrenaline are also produced in the brain when we experience stress.
The long-term effects of this chemical production can be detrimental to the body, affecting the immune system.
The excess amounts of these chemicals need to be purged from the body, and can be done so through sweating, as we do through aerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercise also raises levels of good chemicals (norepinephrine) in the brain that help us cope better with life stresses.
From a biological standpoint, exercise seems to give the body the chance to practice dealing with stress.
The physical activity forces the body’s physiological systems (i.e. the cardiovascular (heart), renal (kidney) and muscular), all of which are involved in the body’s response, to communicate more closely together.
This workout of the body’s communication system may actually be the true value of exercise.
When you stop exercising, your body becomes deconditioned and the physiological stress system mentioned becomes less efficient in its ability to respond to a multitude of stress factors.
A common thought amongst us, is that if something is good, than a lot of it is better.
This is not necessarily the case with exercise. The old adage “everything in moderation” is applicable here.
Exercising at too high an intensity, or for too long during a single session could actually do more harm than good.
Too much of the “bad” chemicals (corticosteroids) are released, because there is too much stress on the body, and tend to compromise the immune system. Moderate activity will have the opposite effect, and boost it.
Admittedly, it is not always easy to find the time to exercise in our busy lives. Research has shown that splitting your workouts into 10 or 15 minute bouts a couple of times a day is just as beneficial as doing one 30 minute session.
Perhaps taking a walk during your lunch hour might be a viable option.
Bottom line – stress is, and always will be, a part of life. Some stress is good, some stress is not. Moderate exercise is a healthy way of combating adversity.
The mode of activity is not as important as the participation. Suggestions? Try a yoga class, an aerobics class, hop on a cardiovascular or weight machine. Take a walk or a bike ride. The key is to keep moving.
Karen Frost is the wellness director for Gold’s Gym of Morgan Hill. She holds a Master of Arts degree in physical education from New York University, and is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Trainer and a Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant.
