Relieving Stress through Excercise

Exercising is a known stress reliever and although many people know it, few are aware of the science behind why it works.

During exercise, the brain releases a mixture of biochemicals known to reduce stress. The endorphin high that runners feel is one experience of this mixture because after a brief period of running, the brain releases these chemicals as a response to pain. With an opiate-like characteristic, extreme cases can bring on euphoria.

During exercise, neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are also released along with endorphins and these chemicals are known to alleviate moods. At their lowest levels, individuals may be prone to depression, anxiety, and/or aggressive behavior.

While exercise brings these chemicals to the forefront, it also suppresses chemicals known to produce stress. When a person is under stress, the sympathetic nervous system produces cortisol and hormones that can have a harmful effect on blood vessels if left unchecked. Scaring and narrowed arteries will help identify the damage done to the blood vessels.

So exercise helps to relieve stress in two distinct ways and a real work out will break up stress induced compounds into a material that's passed out of the body through urine or sweat. It will also strengthen blood vessels and make them more elastic. Strong, elastic blood vessels can fight off the effects of stress induced chemicals.

One noticeable effect of stress is tense neck, shoulder, and calf muscles. When these areas are exercised through either a warm up introduction or a main program, they're loosened, strengthened, and filled with fresh, highly oxygenated blood. At the same time, instances of bad cholesterol and triglycerides are lowered while the entire circulatory system improves.

Psychologically, exercising has a way of removing focus from stressful problems onto the exercising routine. It's not easy to think about stressful situations at work or at home and remember the steps of a complicated aerobics routine at the same time.

Homeostasis is a process initiated by the body in an effort to offset disrupting changes and the combination of all the benefits of exercise help induce it. It literally brings the mind back to a state of rational calm from a state of irrational stress or worry.

Other benefits of exercising also help to reduce stress and they follow from a regular workout. One example is self-confidence in which too often, the lack of contributes to stress.  For without self-confidence, people can feel helpless and lost.

The best work out regimen should follow a 30-minute 3-5 day a week schedule. This schedule has been shown to reduce stress through the biological processes described above. But before jumping into a rigorous program, consult a physician to determine the safest route. The appropriate type of exercising and the appropriate times in which they can be done might depend on the health of the individual that's doing them.

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