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Exercises to Reduce Stress

Stress is a part of life; there is no escaping from it. However, there are ways to cope. One of the best ways to tackle stress is though exercise. Exercise offers an outlet for dealing with worry, irritability and frustration. Any activity that relaxes your muscles or uses physical energy will reduce stress. Why not give exercise a try next time you are stressed, and you will notice a difference.

  1. Running or Jogging

    • Running or jogging is a popular aerobic exercise because all that is required is running shoes and it can be done indoors or outdoors. Running increases the amounts of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, reducing stress. Running and jogging also lower anxiety by metabolizing an overload of adrenaline and relieving skeletal muscle strain.

    Walking

    • Walking is something we all know how to do and it requires no equipment. Use walking for aerobic conditioning and to relieve stress. To make walking aerobic, try to walk for about one hour at a brisk pace, covering two to three miles. To get the most out of walking, keep a good posture and aim to walk at least four times a week.

    Swimming

    • Swimming is another good aerobic exercise that relieves stress. Swimming uses almost all of your muscles and also aids in firming up the body. Try to swim for at least 20 minutes four times a week. To get the most out of swimming, try to find a heated pool that is at least 75 degrees.

    Relaxation

    • Not all exercise to reduce stress has to be physical. Relaxing exercises will go a long way to helping lower stress. For a relaxation exercise, lie down or sit in a comfortable chair. Maintain your hands at your side or rest them on the arms of the chair. Start at the bottom of your body with your toes and gradually work your way up to your head. Envision each body part as relaxed. Make sure you go slowly and go over any body part that is tense until you reach a point when your entire body is relaxed.

    Variety

    • Maintain a variety of exercises to reduce stress. It is only natural to get bored after doing the same old exercise workout. Choose activities that you enjoy.

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