- Hoping to Conceive? Experts Offer Tips to Better Female Fertility
- Stigma, Shame Hit Many Gay Men Affected by Mpox Outbreak
- Calories, Not Meal Timing, Key to Weight Loss: Study
- Dietary Changes May Beat Meds in Treating IBS
- Screen Pregnant Women for Syphilis, Ob-Gyn Group Advises
- Even With Weight Gain, Quitting Smoking in Pregnancy Still Best for Health
- A-Fib Is Strong Precursor to Heart Failure
- One Neurological Factor Keeps Black, Hispanic Patients From Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials
- Managing Blood Sugar After Stroke Could Be Key to Outcomes
- Dozens of COVID Virus Mutations Arose in Man With Longest Known Case
Exercise Options That Double as Stress-Busters
Exercise is a known stress buster, and different disciplines relax and tone you in a variety of ways. So, you can pick and choose from many types of exercise to go beyond physical fitness to better mental health.
Exercise’s mind-body boosts:
- Improves your mood by releasing natural feel-good chemicals.
- Decreases tension in your muscles.
- Leads to deeper, more restorative sleep.
Now for the specifics. Studies show that a cardio workout is not only good for the heart, but also for the mind, decreasing stress. Whether you work out in one daily 30-minute session or three separate 10-minute sessions, moderate-intensity activities like walking, dancing, using the elliptical or pedaling on a stationary bike do the trick.
Yoga gets the top nod for its mind-body balance — the combination of deep breathing and stretching enhances flexibility and mood. Just remember that yoga isn’t a substitute for cardio because it typically doesn’t raise your heart rate. So think of it as an add-on.
Chinese traditions are at the heart of tai chi, a combination of martial arts and meditation. For the biggest benefit, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends learning from a qualified teacher and practicing on your own between classes.
Head-to-toe stretching is important for flexibility and, like yoga, it draws on breathing and focus, making it a relaxing way to end every workout. If you carry tension in your neck and shoulders, be sure to target these areas.
The common thread of all these exercises is deep breathing, slowly filling your belly as you inhale and flattening it as you exhale. This increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which in turn supplies energy to your muscles. And that’s an exercise you can practice any time.
More information
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has detailed information on how exercise can help ease stress and boost mental fitness for everyone.
Source: HealthDay
Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.