3 Ways Exercise Can Reduce Stress

Exercise has long been touted as a great activity for stress relief, and for good reason. Regular exercise helps your body handle stress, and it also provides a distraction from the thing causing you stress in the first place!

Getting moving truly helps with stress reduction in three ways:

1. On a chemical level, exercise actually helps reduce the levels of stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) in your body, and increases the level of mood booster hormones (endorphins).
2. Exercise can help boost your self-image and self-confidence over time. Achieving your goals is a satisfying feeling, increasing your strength can help you feel powerful, and an increase in energy can give you a mental boost.
3. Many people exercise to put themselves in a state of "meditation." By concentrating on the repetitive motion or the technique of the movement, your brain begins to focus on only that thing, and the rest of the world tends to fade away.

Overall, exercise can provide great stress relief no matter what's been bogging you down. Just 10-15 minutes might be all you need to feel calmer, more centered, and ready to take on the next thing thrown your way!

Reference: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax