FACT: Life is stressful. FACT: Stressors come in all shapes and
sizes. FACT: Stress is manageable.
FACT: Life is stressful.
FACT: Stressors come in all shapes and sizes.
FACT: Stress is manageable.
Everyone feels some sort of anxiety. Whether you are an adult and are worried about your job, or a kid and worried about your spelling test, you have stress in your life.
However, stress is not necessarily a bad thing. There is a difference between eustress, which is a positive stress and distress, which occurs when our response to the influence turns into a negative emotional state. The response we exhibit, commonly known as “fight or flight” actually has many benefits.
It gives us strength and endurance to cope with emergencies and it sharpens our wit during important events.
The difference among us is the way in which we handle adversity. Some people take on unhealthy habits such as drinking too much alcohol or overeating. A more beneficial release is exercise.
Studies suggest that physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary people.
Experts agree that exercise is one of the most effective remedies for stress. Exercise may also provide a healthy diversion from the main sources of stress such as our jobs, school and family pressures.
Exercise releases “feel-good” chemicals in the brain that help us deal with stress. In many cases, exercise acts as an anti-depressant by increasing the brain’s 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 with aerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercise also raises the levels of the good chemicals (norepinephrine) in the brain that help us cope better with life’s stressors.
From a biological standpoint, exercise gives 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 and work 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 reconditioned and the physiological stress system I just mentioned becomes less efficient in its ability to respond to a multitude of stress factors.
That being said, a common thought amongst people is that if some is good, than more must be better. However, 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 a duration in 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. Thus, the immune system tends to be compromised. Moderate exercise will have the opposite effect and boost it.
Admittedly, it is not always easy to find the time in our day to exercise. Research has shown that splitting a workout into shorter bouts during the day is just as effective as doing one longer session.
Bottom line: Stress is, and always will be, a part of life. Some stress is good and some stress is not.
A proven fact is that moderate exercise is a healthy way to combat it. Furthermore, a good workout may give you a sense of accomplishment, personal power and help ward off feelings of depression and anxiety.
If you have any questions, or would like more information about T-Tapp or any other fitness matter, contact me at (408) 981-1566 or e-mail me at ho**********************@*****on.net.
Karen Seraphine holds a master of arts degree in physical education/fitness management from New York University and is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer and a lifestyle and weight management consultant and is a certified T-Tapp Trainer. She owns HomeRun Personal Training in Gilroy.
