Stress-Busting Exercises

Exercise is an excellent way to bust stress, the Mayo Clinic advises on its website. Physical activity raises endorphin levels, which promotes a sense of well-being. A person's mood improves while anxiety levels drop. Exercise even helps stressed-out people sleep more soundly, the Mayo Clinic adds. Various exercise types, from easy to strenuous, are effective stress-reducers. Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen, and if you find your stress remains a troublesome issue.

Walking

Walking is low-intensity exercise that nevertheless has stress-relief benefits. The Mayo Clinic explains that taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, fits into the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' exercise guidelines. A hike in a tranquil area adds mental relaxation to the physical activity for extra stress-busting power. Walking is free and can be done almost anywhere, and there are DVDs available for people who prefer to get walking-like exercise at home.

Yoga

Yoga is gentle exercise that involves controlled breathing and holding physical poses. The Mayo Clinic explains that it is a useful stress-buster because it requires concentration. The breathing exercises are calming, and people who practice yoga must focus mentally on staying in the poses, which moves the mind away from stressful thoughts. Yoga can be done in a classroom setting at a health club, or at home with guidance from books or DVDs.

Tai Chi

Tai chi is a physical exercise, but the Mayo Clinic advises that it is often called "meditation in motion," which makes it idea for stress management. The movements are very slow and controlled. Each position flows into the next, which keeps practitioners in continual motion, and the precise nature of the moves requires mental focus. The gentle movements are suitable for most people, regardless of age or fitness level. HelpGuide, a health information website, recommends taking tai chi classes or getting private instruction.

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is strenuous, which allows people let out physical tension, according to HelpGuide. You can often keep stress under control with at least three 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions per week. The exercise can be done in classes or at home with a DVD or video-game console.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting is an effective stress-reducing exercise, the Mayo Clinic notes. Weight training requires a proper warm-up and cool-down, with careful build-up to heavier weights during the exercise, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Family Doctor website. An instructor can assist in putting together a safe, beneficial weight-training routine.