A Look At The Relationship Between Stress And Exercise

A Look At The Relationship Between Stress And Exercise

The brain also produces various neuro-transmitters like dopamine,
serotonin and norepinephrine which have been shown to have beneficial effects as
mood elevators. Once more, the effect of low levels of these in producing
anxiety, depression and sometimes even aggression is well documented.

In
addition to stimulating the brain into releasing chemicals that are helpful in
reducing stress, exercise also lowers the release of a variety of chemicals that
are a by-product of stress. For example, when a person is placed under stress
the body’s sympathetic nervous system produces chemicals like cortisol and
various hormones that, if left in the blood, can cause harm to the blood vessels
and lead to scaring and possibly even narrowing of the arteries.

Exercise can help to solve this particular problem in two ways. First,
exercise actually makes use of those compounds by breaking them down into
harmless forms that are passed out of the body in the urine. Second, a workout
helps to strengthen the blood vessels and giving them increased elasticity so
that they can better withstand attack. One of the more commonly seen
consequences of stress is tense muscles, particularly in the shoulders, calves
and neck and a workput will help to loosen these up.

In addition to this
variety of chemical effects there are also various psychological benefits that
can be derived from following a regular workout routine. Focusing your attention
on an exercise routine takes your mind away from the whole variety of things
that may be causing stress in your life and it is very difficult to concentrate
on those things that are upsetting you and to concentrate on your workout at the
same time.

In addition this effect assists by giving your mind a chance
to create what is known as homeostasis. In simple terms this is one of the
body’s feedback mechanisms that works to bring your body back into a state of
equilibrium and strenuous exercise that diverts your mind from your worries also
gives this system time to function.

Naturally there are a variety of
other psychological benefits that result from regular exercise like the
self-confidence that can be gained from simply improving your overall health and
fitness. This is a case of ‘when you look good then you often feel good’.

As well, it helps you to recognize that you are exerting effort to
improve your body and mind and that you are doing something which is positive
rather than simply giving in to the feelings of helplessness and the resultant
passivity that normally go with stress. It is very easy to find that those
things in your life that are placing you under stress become the main focus of
your attention and merely putting them to the back of your mind will normally
produce dramatic results.

Author Resource:-
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and covers a range of topics including coping
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