Stress-relieving exercises you can try

Stress is a normal and healthy human emotion. It is the body's way of responding to stressors, ranging from getting stuck in traffic to the death of a loved one. Stressful situations also vary greatly depending on one's personality and stress tolerance level. Both psychological and physiological stress reactions occur when you experience stress.

Physical stress reactions can include rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and trouble sleeping. Psychological stress reactions can consist of; stress, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, depression, or sadness. There are many stress relieving exercises that one can do to help reduce stress. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, and it has many other health benefits as well. Some stress-relieving exercises that one can try include:

1. Yoga

Yoga is a stress relieving exercise that many people enjoy. Yoga is excellent for stress relief because of its mindfulness qualities, and it also helps calm the mind and relax the body. It involves stretching and calming exercises that will shift the mind from bad energy to a calmer state.

As long as one is wearing comfortable yoga pants, yoga can be done both on and off the mat, depending on what type of stress one is experiencing. Some of the yoga moves to perform for stress relieving are; Child's Pose, Downward dog, or Cat-Cow pose.

2. Pilates

Pilates is another stress-relieving exercise that can help one to relax and de-stress. It is a low-impact exercise that focuses on strengthening the core muscles. Pilates can be done in a group setting or at home with a Pilates DVD.
Pilates is great for stress relief because it is a gentle exercise that will help one focus on their breath and release any tension. If one is feeling stressed, try some Pilates exercises: Hundred, Roll-ups, and Scissor kicks.

3. Walking/Running

Walking and running are two stress-relieving exercises that can be done anywhere. They are both great exercises to help one relieve stress and tension. Walking is a low-impact exercise that is great for beginners, and running is a high-intensity exercise for more active women.

Both walking and running are stress-relieving exercises because they demand complete presence and attention.

These exercises require that one focuses on the movement and rhythm of the body as it moves forward. When walking or running, try to clear the mind and feel the stress leave the body as they exhale.

If running is too strenuous, then walking is a great alternative. One can walk anywhere, and it is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air.

4. Swimming

Swimming is a stress-relieving exercise that is great for all fitness levels. It is a low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints and helps one relax the mind and body. Swimming is stress relieving because it is a light exercise that allows one to stretch and strengthen the muscles.

So, when feeling stressed, try doing some of the following stress-relieving swimming exercises: hip circles, dog paddle, or butterfly stroke.

5. Chiropractic Care/Massage Therapy

Chiropractic care and massage therapy are stress-relieving exercises that can help release stress from the body. Massage helps relax tight muscles and improves blood flow throughout the body, while chiropractic care helps realign the spine to relieve pressure on the nervous system.

Both of these stress-relieving exercises have many other health benefits, so it is always a great idea to add them to the stress-relieving routine. Try scheduling a massage or chiropractic appointment to help relax and de-stress every time one feels stressed.

Five ways to prevent stress building up as a woman

1. Practice stress-reducing strategies daily

Stress is like a snowball rolling down a hill; it starts small, and before one knows it, it has built up into something big. The best way to prevent stress is to learn stress reduction techniques that can help decrease stress when it starts building in the body. One can practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, Pilates, walking/running, and swimming daily to help prevent stress from building up.

2. Establish a routine

One of the best ways to prevent stress is to establish a routine. When one has a set routine, she knows what to expect each day, and it helps reduce stress because there is a minor change in their life. One can establish away by creating a schedule and sticking to it, eating the same foods each day, or going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.

3. Avoid over-scheduling

Women know how to multi-task, but it can be stress-provoking and overwhelming when one has too many things to do. To prevent stress from building up, one should avoid over-scheduling oneself. This means saying no to some things to have time to relax and de-stress. It is okay to say no, and one does not need to feel guilty about it.

4. Take time for self-love

As much as one has a family to take care of, it is essential to take time for yourself to relax and release stress from the body. When one doesn't take any time to relax, pressure can build up and cause health problems. So, take a walk, read a book, or watch a comedy show. Also, try taking a bath, listening to stress-relieving music, or meditating.

5. Get enough sleep

To prevent stress from building up in the future, one must get enough sleep each night. Lack of good or enough sleep leads to rising stress levels, which causes health problems. To improve one's sleep, try going to bed and waking up simultaneously each day, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, and keep the bedroom cool and dark.

Conclusion

Stress is a part of life, but that doesn't mean it has to control one's life. There are many stress-relieving exercises to help release stress and improve their health. Try practicing stress-reducing techniques daily, establishing a routine, avoiding over-scheduling yourself, taking time for yourself, and getting enough sleep. These are all great ways to prevent stress from building up in the future.
The exercises mentioned above are just a few of the many stress-relieving activities that one can try. So, when feeling stressed, try adding some of these stress-relieving exercises to the day.