Do you ever feel stressed, nervous or overwhelmed? Everyone feels stressed sometimes, but moving your body can help you feel better. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve mood. In this blog, we will explore ways that you can reduce stress by incorporating exercise into your daily routine. 

What is Stress?

Stress is how your body reacts to things that feel hard or scary. It can come from school, family, friends or even just a busy schedule. A little stress is normal, but too much can make you feel tired, sad or even sick. If you are experiencing a particularly stressful time in your life, it might be time to introduce some physical activity.

How Does Exercise Help?

When you exercise, your body makes special chemicals called endorphins. These are sometimes called, “feel-good” chemicals because they help you feel happy and calm. Exercise also helps your brain take a break from worries and gives you more energy. Take the steps to evaluate how you are feeling each day and determine whether or not exercise would help you feel better.

Easy Ways to Get Moving

The Mayo Clinic states that almost any kind of exercise can reduce stress. You don’t need to run a marathon to feel better! Here are some fun and simple ways to exercise:

• Take a walk around your neighborhood
• Dance to your favorite music
• Ride your bike
• Join a local sports team
• Skateboard or surf
• Go for a hike in your community
• Play basketball or soccer with friends
• Try yoga or stretching

Even just 20-30 minutes a day can make a big difference. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Regular physical activity not only helps your body, but also improves your mood and mental health.

Exercise and Sleep

When you’re stressed, it can be hard to sleep. But regular exercise helps your body relax, so you can fall asleep faster and better. And when you sleep well, you feel better during the day too! According to the National Institute on Aging, exercise helps you sleep better, feel more energetic and stay focused.

Make it a Habit

Try to make exercise a part of your daily routine. You can walk your dog, join a sports team, or even do jumping jacks during TV commercials. The more you move, the better you’ll feel. 

Remember, exercise isn’t just good for your body – it’s great for your mind too. So, the next time you feel stressed, get up and move. Your body and brain will thank you!

Visit Clinicas 

At Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. we offer Mental Health Care Services that can help you to decrease stress. You can make an appointment on our website, or call for additional information and to match with a Mental Health professional. Our team is trained to support a wide range of stress symptoms and conditions. Reach out to the team today.