We all experience stress each and every day. Stress can be physically and mentally taxing, which is why it’s imperative that you find healthy ways to alleviate stress when it manifests. We want you to find a stress management technique that works for you, but many people find that exercise or targeted physical therapy sessions can do wonders for their stress levels, so consider adding some regular activity to your life. In today’s blog, we explore why exercise can be so beneficial for keeping stress and anxiety under control.
Managing Stress With Exercise
Stress is a natural response to challenging activities and adversity, and we face these situations every day in life. Perhaps you have some deadlines you need to meet at work, you have a test in chemistry class or you’re simply trying to keep the household afloat. All of these activities can cause stress to develop, and if you’re not appropriately managing this stress, it can negatively affect your health.
Stress impacts your physical and mental health in a number of ways:
Physical Effects Of Stress
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased muscle tension
- Irregular breathing patterns
- Weakened immune system
Mental Effects Of Stress
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety and irritability
- Emotionally drained
- Chronic fatigue
These stress-related issues can be physically and mentally taxing, but you can work to keep them at bay with the help of regular exercise. Exercise helps to manage stress physically, chemically and psychologically.
- Physical – Regular exercise has been proven to help lower cortisol levels in your body. Exercise helps to regulate the amount of cortisol in your body. Regular exercise can also help to physically tire your body, making it easier for you to fall asleep and achieve restful sleep, something that individuals with chronic stress oftentimes struggle to get each night.
- Chemically – Exercise and physical therapy can also help address stress levels by triggering the release of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are “feel-good” hormones that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators, and exercise can cause the brain to release more endorphins. Exercise has also been shown to play a crucial role in the regulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which play key roles in regulating your mood and your stress levels.
- Psychologically – Exercise can serve to increase blood flow to the brain, aiding in crucial functions like concentration and memory. Also, because exercise and physical therapy are stressful activities, your brain and body learns how to manage and overcome stressful situations, which helps to keep you from getting overwhelmed when you face stress in other areas of your life.
If you are feeling stressed, we strongly consider getting active or connecting with a physical therapist to develop an individualized exercise or PT program. Regular movement will do wonders for your physical and mental health by helping you manage stress in a safe and effective manner. For professional help managing stress or anxiety through exercise or physical therapy, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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