Move More, Feel Better

Movement and staying active is important at any age and for everyone. We all know there are physical benefits from being active, like stronger muscles and bones and healthier lungs. It even helps us manage disease like diabetes, heart disease and chronic pain. We don’t always think about the mental benefits of being active.

Managing stress becomes easier, because movement:

• improves mood
• increases energy levels
• improves sleep quality
• boosts self-esteem

It doesn’t matter if you prefer more intense exercise like swimming and running or want something slower pace like walking or yoga. All exercise can help you manage stress.

When we exercise, our body increases production of chemicals that benefit our mood. Our brain releases neurotransmitters, serotonin and endorphins. These are feel-good hormones. Our brain also releases norepinephrine, which can help reduce depression and anxiety that can lead to stress. If we exercise outside, taking in nature can also boost our mood. You may even enjoy forest bathing, immersing yourself in nature to improve your mood by purposefully taking notice of sounds, smells, sights and feelings like the ground beneath your feet and the warmth of the sun on your skin.

People often believe that exercise makes you tired. While it may initially make you feel tired, it does boost your energy levels. So much so, that some people should avoid working out too close to their bedtime, because it can cause them to have a difficult time falling asleep. Different types of exercise like strength training can increase metabolism more than other types of exercise, and a faster metabolism increases energy. Focusing on breathing, mindfulness and movement during yoga can increase energy. Aerobic exercise improves energy by increasing oxygen levels in the blood and brain.

While some individuals shouldn’t exercise close to their bedtime due to increased energy levels making it difficult to fall asleep, many people find that exercise improves sleep quality. When the body produces feel-good neurotransmitters during exercise, the neurotransmitters not only improve mental wellbeing but physical symptoms too. Exercise can help us clear our minds and relax, allowing us to fall asleep more quickly and sleep more restfully. It can help improve pain, stiffness and soreness that can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. After a good night’s sleep, we can start our day with less stress and better manage stress that may arise.

Life feels better and less stressful when we feel good about ourselves. Exercise increases the feel-good chemicals in our brain, can make us feel better about the way we look and feel, boost our confidence when we complete a task, and improve our health which can all improve our self-esteem. 

A positive attitude, having more energy, sleeping well and feeling good about ourselves helps us take on life with less stress and deal better with stress when it happens to us.

Kick, walk, punch, lift, and stretch the stress out of your life!