Stress has become a part of everyone’s life these days. It makes you trapped inside your own emotions and feelings. When you are stressed, you feel sick, grumpy, and even irritated. Stress can cause severe problems that can affect your health as well as daily life routine. If you feel that stress is consuming you, try doing relaxation techniques and calm your mind. We are here to help you with some of the best stress relief exercises.
How Does Exercise Help You Reduce Stress?
Exercise has direct stress-busting benefits. It improves your body’s ability to use oxygen as well as improves blood flow. When you exercise, your body pumps up the production of endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters of your brain. This chemical in your brain acts as natural painkillers and helps you get rid of stress. It also decreases the overall levels of tension, improves sleep, elevates and stabilizes mood, and stimulates anti-anxiety effects.
However, before doing any kind of exercise, it is always recommended to seek advice from an expert doctor. You can also consult a doctor online.
Read: How to Deal With Exam Stress?
Stress Relief Exercises
Can’t stop stressing? Here are some of the best stress relief exercises.
Yoga
Yoga can do wonders when it comes to the matter of relieving stress and anxiety. Instead of dwelling into the past or worrying about the future, yoga encourages people to focus and concentrate in the present moment, that is, to practice mindfulness. It uses slow and deep belly breaths to lower the stress hormone cortisol as well as supplies your brain with more oxygen. It is not only a great stress reliever but is also effective in releasing physical tension.
Given below are some of the best yoga poses to relieve stress:
- Balasana (Child’s pose)
- Uttanasana (Standing forward bend)
- Marjaryasana (Cat Pose)
- Viparita Karani (Leg up the wall pose)
- Garudasana (Eagle Pose)
- Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend)
Read: Yoga For Anxiety
Walking
When you are stressed, go out for a walk at least for 10 minutes. This relaxes your overall mood, releases tension from the major muscle groups, quiets the nervous system, and deepens breathing. Walking lets you out from the stressful environment and gives you time to think in a calm way. It boosts the production endorphins, thereby reducing the stress hormones and alleviates any signs of depression.
Walking 30 minutes daily can prevent many stress-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases.
Read: Stretch Exercises to Relieve Neck Pain
Tai chi
Originally developed as Chinese martial art, tai chi has evolved into a gentle and graceful form of exercise that fights stress. It involves a series of movements that can be practised in a slow and focused manner accompanied by deep breathing. Known as the “meditation in motion,” tai chi promotes much focus on the present – a mental absorption which helps to ward off your everyday worries. It also increases flexibility and boosts energy, thereby resulting in an improved sense of well-being.
Other benefits of tai chi include better balance, more restful sleep, improved cardiovascular and respiratory health.
Read: Easy Stretching and Flexibility Exercises
Dancing
Like any other physical activity, dancing releases the chemical endorphins which help to reduce stress. Dancing lets you connect with your body intensely and allows you to express yourself. It is an amazing tool that you can use on a regular basis to keep your hectic life balanced.
If you are dancing to de-stress, it is necessary that you know the below-mentioned things:
- Slower movements help you stretch out and increase flexibility.
- Create the right mood. Pick a few good songs with lyrics that have a message that matches your current mood and if possible, dim the lights.
- Forget the problems that caused you stress and focus on the music and your body movements.
- Use slow bending exercises and stretching movements while dancing to release stress from all parts of your body.
- Breathe deeply while dancing to aid in relaxation.
Pilates
Pilates is a gentle mind-body form of exercise that not only improves your flexibility but also reduces stress in a great way. This type of activity improves your concentration and lets you focus on the present rather than worrying about the stressors that come your way each day.
This exercise also works well in reducing neck pain., which is another negative effect of stress.
Kickboxing
This safer and healthier high energy workout is a powerful stress buster. It encourages the flow of endorphins and provides a useful outlet for stress. By attacking and defending, you will be able to release all your worries and tensions. It helps you make sound decisions, increase your confidence levels, and confront your fears.
If you find it difficult to deal with stress, know that you are not alone. Our expert doctors are always there to help you.
Never let stress rule you!
