Top 10 Best Workouts to Relieve Stress
How Can Working Out Relieve Stress?
When we exercise, we increase our body’s production of the feel-good neurotransmitter in our brain called endorphins that relieve stress. There are many other ways to promote the increase of endorphins in your brain, but exercise will also benefit many other parts of your body. When we have a healthy flood of endorphins running through our bodies, our risk of developing stress, depression, and insomnia will also drastically decrease.
Top 10 Workouts to Relieve Stress
1. Yoga
Yoga is the most popular form of exercise; there is when it comes to stress relief for a reason. It combines physical, isometric exercise with different types of meditation to center the mind. This blend makes Yoga a powerful body and mind cleansing exercise. The good thing about this powerhouse exercise is that literally, anyone can do it, regardless of age or gender. Yoga also actively aids any illnesses or bodily pains you might have, giving it natural healing aspects. Many people may think that you need to be able to touch your toes in flexibility to be able to do Yoga properly, but this is a total myth. The poses themselves will eventually increase your flexibility as it becomes easier to take the stretch further and hold them for longer. With such a focus based exercises, it is hard to be stressed out after a well-guided session.
2. Kickboxing
This exercise is fun for many people as it is a more intense workout. Kickboxing could also be a full-contact sport or a way of learning self-defense. This form of stress relief comes from being able to let go of frustration without physical aggression. This type of workout is for individuals with excellent physical fitness. People with lower fitness levels might bruise easier or take longer to recover, which could completely throw off your routine.
3. Running Outdoors
When doing any running or jumping exercises, our brains release massive amounts of serotonin (our happy hormone), which is naturally the most significant stress reliever. Another big benefit of working out outdoors is that we absorb substantial quantities of vitamin D from the sunlight. Vitamin D is a well-known remedy for insomnia, depression, and stress. Apart from all the biological aspects of having a workout session in the outdoors, merely being in an environment where you are away from everyday life and being able to get your mind off of everything will lower your stress levels dramatically within days of doing it often. There is no cure, like Mother Nature.
4. Pilates
Very often confused with Yoga because of its similarities in method, Pilates is also a powerful meditation based exercise that combines flexibility exercises with precise breathing patterns. Forcing your body into focusing on your breathing will not only help you gain control of your mental stability, but the promotion of oxygen to your brain will leave you with a relaxed and de-stressed feeling after your workout. Don’t let the calm nature of this exercise fool you. It is very much still a workout that builds and tones muscle as well as keeps your muscles flexible and stretched out – leaving no room for tension to gather anywhere. Besides, the general focus you attain by doing Pilates will help you with the ability to center your mind away from stressful situations and gather your thoughts instead of getting flustered and stressed out by whatever is happening.
5. Dancing
That’s right, having a dance have more benefits to your body than you might realize. As we know, there are many types of stress and equally, as many causes for stress. One of the most prominent reasons for stress and tension is the lack of self-expression. When individuals are kept in the same space for long periods, doing something that might not be something of interest to them (like office work), they will often get stressed out, depressed and tense until they get back into an environment where they can express themselves. Dancing is not only a total full-body workout but also a great way of expressing yourself and being able to let out some creativity. While dancing, people have so much fun that they often don’t realize they are building and toning muscle, as well as increasing their fitness levels. Just look at ballet dancers.
6. Tai Chi
There are many forms of Tai Chi, and although most might think it is a type of full-contact sport, Tai Chi is an ancient non-competitive martial art. Its an exercise that anyone can participate in, and at any age. It’s encouraged that the elderly and those with stress/tension pain take part in various forms of Tai Chi as it has powerful healing properties. Several health institutes base their physiotherapy on this fantastic martial art. Just like with Pilates and Yoga, the breathing exercises you practice while doing Tai Chi also promotes healthy oxygen flow to your body and brain, allowing you to get better sleep, focus and inner peace – allowing no amount of stress to linger.
7. Swimming
Everyone, including animals, love swimming. It is a great way to cool down, work out, or relieve stress. Swimming is not only a great way to get rid of stress because it is so much fun, but it also helps since large bodies of water are known to be very therapeutic to the body. It is almost like being in a refreshing bath and getting a full head to toe work out in the process. Swimming is well known to help build lean muscles. It also increases your fitness levels, while the physical exercise promotes the flood of serotonin in your brain. Ultimately ridding you of stress and leaving you with a feel-good sensation.
8. Mountain Biking
Although not for those with lower fitness levels, mountain biking can be an excellent way to get rid of stress. Many people might prefer going for the morning jog or cycle, but what makes mountain biking just a little bit better is the fact that it takes you out into nature. Being in a natural environment where you aren’t surrounded by things that cause your stress every day and finding that escape can dramatically improve your stress levels and your body’s way of dealing with it in the future.
9. Aerobics Classes
Aerobics is a fun-for-all low-impact workout that doesn’t require a high level of fitness and involves a substantial amount of skipping, jumping, and other exercises that utilize your body weight as part of the workout. Not only does it flood your brain and body with hormones and endorphins that help reduce your stress levels, but it also tones muscle, burns fat, and keeps you fit. The various stretches involved in warming up for an aerobics class can also provide a calming, meditative moment for you to center your thoughts before your workout.
10. Gardening
While not exactly a sport, gardening can be quite a workout. While gardening, you’ll end up doing a substantial amount of heavy lifting and spend long hours in the sun. The physical labor of gardening will provide you with a natural body workout. Furthermore, the time you spend in the sun will promote your body’s vitamin D intake. The de-stressing comes into being in a natural environment; being able to see progress in your tasks also provides a sense of confidence. Having confidence can help you stress less in the future.
Exercise to Relieve Your Stress
Although there are many ways to get rid of stress whether it is by going for a massage, having a long hot bubble bath or talking your problems out with a friend – nothing will ever entirely be able to get rid of built-up stress and tension like exercise.