Healing for your Mind, Body and Spirit

It has been shown in research that exercise is a wonderful way to release stress and one can even gain a great body while doing so!

When you exercise, the brain produces a range of biochemicals that work to reduce stress. Athletes constantly experience an ‘endorphin’ rush that accompanies a training workout. The body naturally produces and releases an opiate-like chemical to help reduce the pain that comes with a hard workout. When produced in extremely high levels, it can lead to euphoria.

Endorphins are not the only thing produced during a good workout. Neuro-transmitters - dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin - are also produced and are known as mood elevators. Having low levels of those neuro-transmitters can result in anxiety, depression and occasionally increased aggression. Exercise helps to keep the levels at a point that helps to combat those occurrences.

Not only does exercise produce helpful biochemicals, it helps to reduce biochemicals that are produced by stress. Cortisol and other hormones are produced when someone is suffering from stress. If left in the bloodstream, they are harmful to the body, and can cause a narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to heart conditions.

Exercise produces a two fold benefit. The harmful hormones are broken down during exercise, and can then be passed out of the body with no ill effects. Exercise also helps by increasing blood vessels’ resilience, so that they are less affected by any remaining harmful compounds that may not have broken down during the workout.

Most people will carry stress in their muscles, especially in the neck, shoulder and calf areas. Tension can often be worked out with exercise, especially if you focus on those areas during warm up and cool down stretches. Exercise also strengthens those muscles, and fresh oxygen is carried to them, making tension less likely after the workout. ‘Bad’ cholesterol is also reduced during a workout, so there are many benefits to exercise.

Exercise also has psychological benefits that are helpful in combating stress. When you are exercising, less awareness is paid to the cause or reasons for the tension. This allows you to take some time away from the problem and do something good for yourself.

The effect this produces is called homeostasis. This means that your body is brought back to a state of equilibrium, or its natural state, one without worries or stress. This stops your body from shutting down as it allows your system to function without overloading it.

A regular workout also produces other psychological benefits. Self-confidence increases as health and fitness improves. Being attractive is a big factor in making people feel good about themselves. You also benefit from knowing that you are actively working to improve your health, and your life. This sense of working actively on something can then be implemented with the problem that is causing stress.

Exercise can be as simple as going for a vigorous walk. It distracts your from unhappy matters that might be the cause of stress and will help in your body breaking down harmful chemicals in your body while releasing beneficial endorphins. To be effective though, exercise should be undertaken three to five times a week, for at least half an hour. It will aid in keeping stress levels manageable and your health will also see a boost, affecting your overall well-being.

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