Stress is a normal part of your daily routine. It enables you to handle challenges that arise. It serves as a defense mechanism that kicks into gear when your brain perceives a threat and signals your body to release hormones that fuel your capacity to respond. This is known as a "fight-or-flight" response, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stress is constant in modern life, which often leads to stress overload. Too much stress over time can be detrimental to your emotional and physical health, which is why stress management should be an essential part of your daily routine.
Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation exercises help relieve stress by triggering the body's natural relaxation response, according to Helpguide.org. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, visualization and deep breathing are effective in relieving stress. Various physical activities such as yoga, tai chi and rhythmic exercises are also great for reducing stress, as well as improving your mood and energy level.
Yoga
Yoga is a series of stationary and moving poses combined with deep breathing. In addition to reducing stress, yoga improves your balance, flexibility, stamina and strength. There are different forms of yoga. Satyananda is a traditional form that involves deep relaxation, meditation and gentle poses. Power yoga is a fast-paced form of yoga that involves intense poses and focuses more on fitness and weight loss. Bikram, or hot yoga, is done in a room heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and focuses on stamina and purification. It is best to learn yoga by enrolling into a class, hiring an instructor or following video instruction in order to perform the moves correctly and avoid injury.
Tai Chi
Tai chi stresses relaxation by allowing your body's bio energy, called qi, to smoothly flow around your body. Tai chi movements are designed to stimulate the flow of qi through your body and organs. The exercise focuses on correct posture and spinal alignment to remove stress from your back, release tension and improve your digestive system. It involves shifting your weight from one side to another and alternately raising your limbs to vary the weight on different joints. This increases the flow of nutrients to your joints, improving flexibility and range of motion. The movements also strengthen your ligaments, tendons and muscles. Focusing on your breathing and the movements helps clear your mind and relaxes you.
Rhythmic Exercises
Walking, running, cycling or rowing are excellent rhythmic exercises for relieving stress when your focus is on relaxation as well as fitness. Clearing your mind and focusing on your body's movements, your breathing and how your body feels while you exercise is very effective for relieving stress.
Caution
Check with your doctor before beginning any type of exercise. It is best to learn yoga or tai chi by enrolling in a class, hiring an instructor or following video instruction in order to perform the moves correctly and avoid injury. Do not attempt Bikram or hot yoga if you react adversely to hot conditions or you have high blood pressure or a heart conditions.
