Stress and Exercise: Part 1
Do you feel too stressed to workout? Before diving into the article, let me simply say, skipping a workout due to stress is the wrong decision to make.
Imagine this. You get home after a long day at work where your boss was on your case. You make yourself dinner but burn the chicken and potatoes. You sit down to check a few e-mails but your internet connection is out. You are stressed. You have a choice of how you handle that stress. Do you flip on the TV? Or do you prepare for a workout?
In the above scenario, the stressors mentioned were short term and acute in nature. Often in life, we are also dealing with chronic stress as well, such as a hectic relationship or financial worries. Stress symptoms may manifest themselves in several ways. Physically you may feel muscular tension, fatigue, headaches, lowered sex drive, upset stomach and trouble sleeping. Mentally, you may feel more anxiety, loss of motivation, irritability and sadness. People often respond to these physical and mental effects with several ineffective coping mechanisms; such as over or under eating, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, withdrawal, and exercising less.
If you notice that you have those symptoms, it is important to take steps to manage your stress.
From the Mayo Clinic website:
Explore stress management strategies, such as:
Regular physical activity
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or getting a massage
Keeping a sense of humor
Socializing with family and friends
Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music
Aim to find active ways to manage your stress. Inactive ways you may use to manage stress — such as watching television, surfing the Internet or playing video games — may seem relaxing, but they may increase your stress over the long term.
And be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Did you see that? “Inactive ways you may use to manage stress…may increase your stress over the long term.” [Highlight my own]
I would be willing to bet that many of you do exactly what the Mayo Clinic warned against, which is to use TV, Internet and Video Games as stress relief. One caveat, the statement above is about using electronics as stress relief. You can certainly choose to use electronics as a recreational activity and it can be enjoyable. However, you should NOT use electronics as way to manage stress. Why? Come back for Part 2.
Reference:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987?pg=2
