When it comes to stress, the more you move it, the greater chance you’ll lose it.
Now I know that you’ve heard that exercise is good for many things, including your stress related issues and stress relief. However, you might be wondering how exercise can help your specific stress. The key is remembering that everyone has different reactions to stress. Some people become quiet and internalize their stress, while others become aggressive and take their stress out on others.
That’s why different forms of exercise can be more or less helpful in helping you to manage your stress before your stress manages you. Read one for a few exercises to help you cope with your stress based on your reaction to stress in the first place.
Kickboxing
If you feel angrier when you’re stressed, then kickboxing may be the ideal exercise for you. What’s so great about kickboxing is its physicality. You get to beat the stress away as you kick and punch at a practice dummy, bag or imaginary foe. It’s a great way to release aggression and tension.
Every single one of us have had that day where we’re hanging on by a thread and really want to have a physical display of emotion. Which would make us feel better but would not be the right (or legal) thing to do. Kickboxing is the next best thing. It’ll work your muscle groups, help with your balance and relieve your stress. Most gyms offer some form of kickboxing or boxing classes. You can also stream kickboxing classes online.
Running
Running is something that’s simple to do, helps with weight management, encourages flexibility, and most of all it helps you think. All that in addition to stress management! You can do it alone or in a group, but if you go it on your own, you can focus on problem solving and pushing the stress out of your body during the run.
It doesn’t matter if you do this at an indoor track, on a treadmill, or just outside. I know that running isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you and you love the feeling of pushing yourself until all the stress and tension is out of your body and you’re physically exhausted, then running may be a great exercise for you. This is especially ideal for people who want to be alone to deal with their stress. I would consider running an in between exercise as it can help both internal and external stress coping styles.
Zumba
What can I say about Zumba? It’s a great way not only to exercise, but to dance your stress away. One of the wonderful things about Zumba is that like running, there are different ways to do it and different intensities. Which means that it can help both people who cope with stress internally and those who deal with stress externally. Either way, a session of Zumba will help melt that stressed tension away.
Yoga
It goes without saying that yoga helps with stress. It’s a great way for those who internalize stress to help release it because there are a ton of poses you can do to release stress and toxins from your system.
Yoga is the exercise you want to reach for when you need a calming way of removing the stress from your day and your body. Yoga provides a healthy and soothing way to do this. Yoga can also help with blood pressure and regulating your breathing to help calm your entire body.
So there you have it, exercises that can help you with stress relief. The next time you’re feeling stressed, think of these exercises and swap them out depending on your mood, the stress level, and how you are reacting to whatever is stressing you out. There is no one exercise that can help with all types of stress, but keeping these exercises in mind, will give you options at your disposal to turn to when the stress does happen. It's all about Making Time.
Let’s talk. Do you ever exercise to manage your stress? If so, what type of exercise do you do? Tell me in the comments section.
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a trainer, wellness coach and consultant who believes in empowering her clients and providing the tools that they need to make positive changes in their lives to manage their stress and increase their self-care. In her spare time, she enjoys papercrafting, volunteering and travel. Connect with her on Instagram or Linked/In
Comments