Managing Stress
Stress is a fact of modern life. Everyone experiences it from time to time, and some would say it is a dominating factor in their lives.
How we deal with stress has a direct impact on our physical wellbeing. Stress is not simply a mental issue - the word disease originated from the association between anxiety, tension and illness: dis-ease.
Studies have shown that exercise can reduce levels of anxiety and stress. Whilst mild anxiety can be tempered by something as simple as a walk, stress can present more serious health issues.
Stress triggers the release of chemicals such as adrenaline that are designed to help you in an extreme situation. In evolutionary terms, this response once helped humans to fight off attacks from carnivorous animals. The trouble is, we don’t have a sabre-toothed tiger to deal with - just a slow driver, an incompetent colleague, or an overdue gas bill.
With nowhere to go, these chemicals sit in the body and begin to affect physical wellbeing. Headaches and a stiff neck may be common signs of stress, but more serious symptoms include suppression of the immune system, heart disease, hypertension and even cancer.
By using exercise to release these chemicals, whether it is through a run, a game of tennis or beating a punch bag to within an inch of its life, regular exercise helps make the body better able to cope with stress and its physical manifestations.
Book exercise in as an appointment in your diary - you owe it to yourself to be as stress-free as possible, which makes both your work and your personal life much easier. And don't forget to just chill out - go for a walk, listen to some music, watch a film; do whatever you need to give your mind a rest.
