Stress can wreak havoc on your long-term health and wellness. A variety of exercises may help to relieve tension, stress, and frustration, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed. While some stress is natural and necessary for optimal function of the nervous system, too much stress can cause headaches, insomnia, and more serious issues like reduced function of the immune system, high blood pressure, and even heart problems, according to the Franklin Institute.
Aerobics
Aerobics provide the body with all-around exercise, and boost the release and flow of endorphins through your body, the Stress Relief Exercises website explains. Endorphins are your body's natural "feel-good" hormones. For optimal benefits, get outside for a quick walk when you're feeling stressed. Other aerobic exercises include dancing, stepping, jogging, tennis, swimming, or other activities that elevate the heart rate, and keep it elevated for at least 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
Yoga
You don't have to sit cross-legged on the floor and chant to gain stress-relieving benefits from yoga. The practice offers positions for slow, gentle yet steady stretching moves, HelpGuide notes.The Total Yoga Practice website suggests toe curling, also known as Pandanguli Naman. Sitting in a chair, take your shoes off. Place your feet on the ground and lift the toes off the floor, curling them up and in toward your body while inhaling deeply through your nose. Exhale slowly, curling the toes downward, as if trying to make a fist with your foot. You can hold each of the contractions for several seconds and repeat the sequence up to 10 times.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is an ancient form of Chinese exercise that combines slow, gentle moves performed in a certain order and manner to help promote serenity and mind-body connection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tai chi is not just for old folks, with many of the discipline's moves also used in forms of martial arts such as kung fu. Also known as tai chi chuan, more than 100 possible gentle exercise and stretching moves keep the body in motion for as long as you wish. Concentrating on rhythmic patterns, breathing, and on the connection between your body, mind, and spirit as you work through the moves may help provide effective relief of stress.
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