How To Beat Stress With Exercise

Stress is our body's natural reaction to harmful situations.

When faced with a "fight or flight" situation, the adrenal glands release cortisol, a hormone that raises our blood pressure and floods our muscles with glucose.

The purpose of cortisol is to get our body ready to react against potential threats.

The problem is the body releases cortisol even if the threats are imagined!

Excess cortisol consumes muscle protein, lowers testosterone levels slows down metabolism and affects sleep patterns.

That's why you'll notice people who are stressed often look tired and haggard.

There are many reasons why doctors prescribe exercise as your primary medicine against the dangers of stress:

1. Releases Endorphins

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that improve your mood and make you feel good.

These are chemicals that are produced in the brain and are released to offset the effects of stress and pain.

Exercise triggers the release of endorphins to accommodate the stresses of physical activity.

2. It's A Great Way To Clear The Mind

Do you know why Tim Cook of Apple is on the treadmill at 5 in the morning or why Google's Sergey Brin sometimes walks on his hands in his office?

This is because exercise helps clear the mind. When you are stressed out your body becomes tight.

Exercise helps loosen you up by improving blood circulation.

3. Boosts Confidence

Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle mass or run your first marathon exercise makes you want to set goals.

When you accomplish these goals, it boosts your confidence in your ability to overcome challenges.

Exercising conditions your mind to approach potentially harmful situations with more strategy and purpose; the same way you did when you were working toward accomplishing your goals.

4. Improves Quality Of Sleep

Does your sleep occasionally get disrupted by "voices" in your head? These are called "white noise".

Exercise clears your thoughts and places your mind under the best conditions to present solutions for pressing problems.

When you find resolution, you silence the white noise and sleep better.

5. Strengthens The Body's Immune System

Exercise improves blood circulation and this ensures the efficient transport of valuable nutrients to your different organs and systems.

It is very important for your immune system to remain strong and healthy because it provides the first line of defense against viruses and bacteria.

Your immune system also produces phagocytes and lymphocytes that help fight infections.

If you value your health, fitness and wellness always have time for exercise.

It is time that will be well spent and guaranteed to pay out dividends in the long-term.

Dmitri Simons is the Head Trainer for Exercises.com.au, Australia's Premier Exercise And Fitness Website.

Visit http://www.Exercises.com.au for your free e-book on Exercise, Muscle Building, Strength Training, Weight Loss, Toning, Fitness and Nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dmitri_Simons/2397348

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