Exercise For Stress And Anxiety

Five minutes. That’s all it takes. Even five minutes of doing some aerobic exercise can show positive results in terms of elevating your mood, calming your nerves and restoring the feel good factor in you.     

It has been medically proven that there is a direct linkage between our physical health and mental fitness. Being physically active and exercising definitely helps improve physical fitness and vitality. At the same time any form of exercise produces endorphins in the brain cells. Endorphins act as a natural painkiller to decrease tension, fatigue and feelings of stress and anxiety which can adversely impact focus, concentration, self-esteem and deplete energy levels. 

So, the next time you feel low and stressed out don’t succumb or wait for an external stimulus for a pickup. Simply turn on your favourite music and get moving. Head out for a walk, jog, cycle, or try exercising indoors if you prefer. Exercise is the best natural solution for a happy and healthy you.

Moderate Intensity Exercise

Yoga – Several research studies have shown that the practice of yoga has a significant impact on reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga as an exercise keeps both body and mind fit by building physical strength and flexibility and also improves mental health by the focus on breathing while practising yoga asanas.   

While doing yoga as such is beneficial to relax the mind, Shirsasana or headstand is one pose that holds a special place among the asanas because of its many benefits. When you are standing on your head the blood circulation through the body improves. This helps to relax the muscles and release knots, which in turn soothes the nerves with a calming effect on the body and mind, thereby reducing stress and anxiety.

High Intensity Exercises

Zumba – Zumba is a high energy fitness dance workout with multiple benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness and is a great way to burn excess calories for weight loss.

But above all, Latin dance inspired Zumba is a fun way to exercise that can work wonders as an instant mood enhancer. This is because the dance workout involves vigorous body movements set to salsa, hip-hop, Bollywood and such lively music with quick beats that really gets you moving, is enjoyable and lifts you up if you are feeling stressed out. In a Zumba class you dance with others in a group, so it gets you motivated and relieves feelings of anxiety. Zumba has become very popular so you should be able to find a class near you quite easily. Join in and regain your positive energy.

Cycling – What was once a humble mode of non-polluting transport has made quite a comeback these days as an intense physical exercise. More and more people are taking to cycling as a form of exercise for experiencing a range of health benefits.

The sheer physical effort, muscle work, exertion and endurance challenge involved in pedalling for several kilometres, more so on inclines, makes you strong, keeps you motivated and helps reduce stress. With plenty of choice of bicycles available from simple to geared, it is a good idea to get yourself one as well and enjoy its many benefits. You’ll soon find yourself cycling around happily even to work perhaps! 

Running – Running is good for your heart and brain. Categorised as a vigorous aerobic exercise, running works as a natural antidepressant by releasing ‘feel good’ serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters during and after your run. 

Going for a run will not only help you feel good, it also gets you in shape by trimming flab and toning and building muscle strength. Start with a steady pace and short duration until your body gets accustomed. Keep challenging yourself by setting higher goals for the pace and duration of your run. Running will reduce stress and help you sleep better.

Make efforts towards improving your physical and mental health by getting more active and exercising regularly can help you stay fit and give you a better quality of life in the long run. However, you should also be prepared for any eventuality. This is where health insurance can protect your finances should a medical emergency strike you or a family member.

It is advisable to buy a health insurance plan that can give you maximum benefits such as cashless hospitalisation cover at network hospitals, critical illness cover, pre and post hospitalisation expenses coverage, lifetime renewal and 24x7 call assistance. Compare policies and insurers and purchase health insurance from a reputed health insurance provider to be rest assured.

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