5 Ways To Get Moving To Manage Stress

You feel overwhelmed and on edge. Your sleep might be suffering and you are at the end of your rope. Your stress levels are at an all-time high.

What if we told you there was a practical way to manage your stress and feel better? Get moving! It may seem like a simple answer, but let’s dive deeper into how movement can be a great stress manager.

Movement for stress has an overall beneficial effect on your entire body and is a functional way to reduce your overall stress levels.

Movement isn’t just about the physical – it’s about your mind, too. You may already practice self-care habits, but do you focus on your mental wellness? The long-term effects of physical activity on your mental health help you deal with stress better.

Today’s society is filled with stress from careers, home, and the outside world. Many things you cannot control, but one thing you can control is finding how to manage stress through movement.

Keep reading to find out five ways to get moving today!

Actively moving your body has a positive impact on your ability to handle it. One of the easiest ways to get moving is to step outside your front door. Feeling stressed at work? Take a walk outside during your lunch break!

Twenty minutes of walking a day will boost your mood and will help reduce overall stress levels. Come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.

If you work in the home, getting outside with your partner or children during the afternoon or after dinner can help bring a sense of calm. Outside activities can include running, signing up for a recreational sports league, and gardening.

What’s even better than getting outside as a stress reliever? Getting outside with a friend. Camaraderie can allow you to get outside of your stressful situation and connect with another human. Take a lunch break lap around the park with a friend or grab a cup of coffee and take a walk.

Having someone to help keep us accountable can be a game changer with practicing movement for stress.

There is no feeling quite like lifting weights and feeling the blood pumping through your veins. Weightlifting gets your physical body stronger, but it also has excellent mental benefits.

You don’t have to be a mastermind in the gym to grab a set of dumbbells. Many fitness facilities are happy to show you around the weight room if you are not sure where to start.

The internet is a useful resource full of free workouts depending on the time you have, degree of difficulty, and the muscles you want to work. The best part of internet workouts is you can do them in the comfort of your own home or wherever you are in the world.

Sometimes the thing we need to get out of a season of stress is shaking up our routine. If we are doing the same things day in and day out, it can be easy to fall into a rut of routine. Get outside of your comfort zone and sign up for a fun workout class at your local gym or boutique fitness studio.

Have you ever wanted to try a sweaty spin class? Now is the time to sign up. Do it scared and get moving in new, creative ways!

Perhaps one of the most revered ways to calm the mind is yoga. Yoga is for everyone no matter your age, gender, or fitness level. The mindfulness practice is all about connection to your breath and body.

The American Institute of Stress tells us a movement practice, including deep breathing, affects our entire body including the nervous system. When you focus on intentional breathing, your heart rates slow down and blood pressure lowers, and your body can be in a state of rest.

No matter what activity you choose to get moving, learning to manage stress is a never-ending work of progress. There will be times when stress is low, but don’t let yourself slip back into your old ways. Continue to practice movement and mindfulness to be prepared when stressful times reoccur.

Once you implement movement into your life to help you manage stress, you will be surprised at how you crave a way to actively move when life goes sideways. Keep your head up, your heart open, and your beautiful body moving!

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