Your exercise habits are affecting your stress levels!

Fortunately, if you are participating in exercise, it is helping you manage and reduce your stress!

There is a lot of science out there that points to exercise having a positive effect on the way our body manages stress.

We know that exercise boosts levels of “happy hormones,” like endorphins. These endorphins generate feelings of happiness and they can lower pain levels. Exercise also teaches your body how to deal with stress. When you are engaging in more strenuous types of exercise, you are teaching your systems how to work together to handle the extra strain. This in turn can lead to a healthier body by strengthening your immune, respiratory, and circulatory systems.

Exercise also has a meditative effect, it gives your brain something to focus on. As you focus on your exercise you get to let go of the frustrations and worries of your day, by the time your exercise session is over, things may feel more manageable. 

There is not one right type of exercise. Anything you enjoy will help you reduce stress whether it is something simple like going for a walk or something more involved like yoga. Whether you choose dancing, swimming, or basketball, find movement that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your schedule.

It can be a struggle to prioritize exercise so try putting it on your calendar, doing exercise that you enjoy, and maybe finding a workout partner. Set intentional goals for yourself and pay attention to the little achievements and the small ways that you notice the benefits of movement.