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Friday, July 16, 2010

Fitness is Nature's Stress Reliever

Everyone gets stressed from time to time. And what do most people do? They grab for that bag of chips, slice of cake, or plate of cookies.

STOP!

Next time you get angry, stressed, depressed or feeling otherwise unlike yourself, don't go for food. Food is a temporary relief. After you've gorged yourself, you're still mad about whatever you were mad about to begin with AND you feel bad about over eating. It's a viscous cycle.

Next time you're feeling bad - exercise. Go for a walk or run, ride a bike, take a few swings at your punching bag, lift some weights. Do SOMETHING! You'll feel better.

Why?

Exercise is your body's natural stress reliever. That statement is not just something in an advertisement - it's science. When you exercise, stress hormone's decrease and your body releases increased endorphins - the body's own chemicals that make you feel good.

In addition, exercise can provide a distraction from what made you mad in the first place. You stop thinking about why you are mad and you focus on a therapeutic, methodical task. Exercise often requires that you focus and so it's good as a distraction.

Finally, exercise promotes positive self image. When people feel good about themselves, they feel good in general. Not only does it make you feel good on the inside, it'll make you LOOK good on the outside. You'll be changing your body without even knowing it!


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