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Fun Exercises for Stress Management

If you're under pressure in some life area, you react naturally with stress. Its mental symptoms include persistent worry, anxiety and problems concentrating, according to the Help Guide self-help website. Physically you might have tense muscles, a queasy stomach and a racing heart. Fortunately, there are many fun stress-relieving exercises to calm your mind and release your body's tension.

  1. Physical Exercise

    • Physical exercise makes the brain produce endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and make you feel happy. You can choose from among many different options and do something you enjoy, like walking around your neighborhood, jogging, bicycling or swimming. You can even join a friend for a game of tennis or take an aerobics class together. The Mayo Clinic explains that exercising with a friend makes it more fun and gives you further incentive. Group sports also relieve stress by giving you a competitive outlet and adding a social element. You may even expand your social network by making new friends. Compete in a one-on-one in a sport like tennis or racquetball or join a team for a game like basketball or softball. Many fitness clubs and community centers have team sports for adults.

    Yoga

    • Yoga is a proven stress buster. It gives you physical exercise, increases your flexibility and improves your mental state because you must concentrate on the poses. It is fun to learn and master new positions. There are different types of yoga, according to "Women's Health" magazine. Hatha yoga, which uses standard poses, is the most commonly practiced type, while Anusara, which lets you customize the poses, is rapidly gaining popularity. Restorative yoga limits the number of poses and does them for longer periods. All of them relieve stress to some degree, but power yoga is not appropriate for beginners because it is more intense and physically draining and Bikram causes physical stress because it is done in a sauna. Buy a yoga DVD if you prefer to do it at home or look for fitness center that offers gentle yoga or classes specifically aimed at relaxation and stress relief.

    Tai Chi

    • Tai Chi is a martial art centered on flowing movements. It is good for stress relief because of its non-competitive nature, according to Health Guide. The movements are aimed at improving circulation and promoting relaxation. Tai chi also involves controlled breathing, which is another stress-relieving component. You can do it at home with the help of an instructional DVD or in a fitness center class.

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