Stress Less at the FitStop

It's been said that exercise and nutrition are the most underutilized medications.

Let's look at what they do for us and then figure out why we don't use them enough.

Exercise and its benefits (in regards stress/anxiety): When we start to move, our body releases endorphins, or happy hormones. That sounds nice, eh? Movement also distracts us from everyday concerns as we need to concentrate on the work at hand. Whether it be hiking up a hill, watching each step; or lifting weights at the gym, paying attention to your body's form and staying safe with the weights. Or whatever movement it is, for that moment, can distract us from other issues bringing stress into our lives.

Extracting a paragraph from MAYO CLINIC (Strongly recommend checking their site out if you have any health-related questions), it says this about Exercise and Stress:

"Exercise improves your health and sense of well-being, which gives you more energy every day. Exercise also has some clear benefits to relieve your stress.

• It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity may help pump up the production of endorphins, the brain's feel-good neurotransmitters. Specifically, physical activity increases a brain chemical called beta-endorphin. This can increase feelings of happiness and reduce feelings of pain. It is often called a runner's high. Any aerobic activity, such as a fun game of tennis or pickleball, or a nature hike, can create this happy feeling. Research has found that exercise also increases other brain chemicals that help lessen pain.

• It cuts down on the negative effects of stress. Exercise can offer relief while the body is reacting to stress, such as the flight-or-fight response. It can help the body's systems practice working together when dealing with stress.

  This can have positive effects on the body — including the heart and blood vessels, digestive. and immune systems — helping protect against harmful results of stress. For example, it can lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, and help improve the immune system. It can even lessen the effects of aging.

• It's meditation in motion. After a game of racquetball, or a long walk, run or swim, you may find that you've forgotten the day's irritations. You also may find that you focus only on your body's movements and breathing during exercise.

  As you start to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task helps you stay calm. It can increase your energy and optimism. It can help you focus and think clearly, and it even can help you use your imagination and improve problem-solving skills.

• It improves your mood. Exercising a few times a week can increase your self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Exercise also can improve your sleep, which is often disturbed by stress, depression and anxiety. All these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and help you better manage your body and your life."

Awesome isn't it? So why don't we take advantage of a little bit of movement everyday? I mean look how it can make us feel!!!

We tend to fall into ruts, folks. It's very easy to fall into easy habits, and let's face it, exercise is not always 'easy'. Many of us make the excuses of too tired. Too sore. Too broke. Too busy. Do we ever stop to ask ourselves why we're too tired, too sore, too broke, too busy? I bet the answer(s) will surprise us. We may be too tired because we aren't exercising and we feel stressed.

Or, the answer may lie in our nutrition. Another factor that plays on us when it comes to not exercising or feeling too much stress in our lives. That will be a discussion for another blog though. Just remember, we tend to look for comfort when things get stressy in our lives, and for many that means food. Food plays a huge role in our health journeys, so please think before you eat. Stay mindful. Don't eat when you're feeling emotional. Talk it out. Walk it out. Breathe. Then eat protein or a healthy fat, which are really good for your brain health. :)

Let's make a pact. When we feel stress coming on, let's move our bodies.

Or you can sign up for our newest workshop coming next week: Stress Management. Wed, July 23rd at 6pm upstairs at the CUP with Tracy and Glenda. $10. Hope to see you there.

sside.ca/StressMgmt

PSAs:

Congratulations to our grand prize winner in the Step into Summer Challenge. Jean Lykow. She was consistent in tracking and tracked the most steps out of the group!

Birthday Draw: we're halfway through July already. If you celebrate your birthday this month, please enter the draw for some nice gym swag. Draw date is July 31st and FitStop wants to celebrate you!!

If you haven't downloaded our app, please do so! sside.ca/FitStopApp

Challenge of the week: try 1 new class this week. ;) You can do it.

Keep being great!

Your coach,

Tracy