Thinking Practically: 1. Stress relief
Take, for example, stress. We all have it. If you don't then you must live in a box or don't come in contact with the world around you. Even if you lived in isolation, you would probably find a way to get stressed out.
Stress can do a lot of damage in our lives. It can lead to feelings of depression that reduce your motivation levels. If you have a job requiring you to meet weekly or monthly goals, stress can greatly hinder your potential to achieve them. In fact, stress-related illnesses cost U.S. businesses nearly 500 million employee workdays each year.
What if you are hoping to get a promotion, yet you are faced with a difficult situation? All of a sudden your stress level skyrockets. Your ability to perform effectively may be compromised.
Stress can also lead to emotional weakness. For example, say you just got over an addiction such as smoking, drinking or overeating. Many times people will fall back on that type of addiction in order to deal with the stress.
Guess what? Exercise can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It can take your mind off the problems you're faced with. Your body is better able to respond to stress when you are physically active.
Dr. Michael H. Sacks says this about exercise and stress, "Exercise can be a powerful method of relaxation, and it can help people deal effectively with the stress of daily life. In various studies, researchers have found that exercise can decrease anxiety and depression, improve an individual's self-image, and buffer people from the effects of stress...Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, releasing hormones and stimulating the nervous system...".
You don't have to let stress destroy the quality of your life. Regular exercise acts as a buffer against stress and helps protect the body against its consequences.
"If you don't have health, it's difficult to operate in a high-stress environment." ~ Dr. Bob Boni
