Stress is a common daily struggle for millions of people around the world. These stresses stem from many things, including work, finances, taking care of the house, worrying about friends and family, and just trying to keep life together as we know it. Many people who suffer from stress strive to find relief but fall short of trying everything possible.
Sure, visits to the doctor and certain medications can help, but one form of stress relief comes from exercise. This kind of stress relief is known for soothing the body and mind, and working wonders in relieving the daily worries we as humans endure.
Types of Exercise Used for Stress Relief
Yoga is probably one of the most popular forms of exercise when it comes to relieving stress, and its because the methods of yoga are well known to soothe the mind by focusing all energy on relaxing and coming to peace with your surroundings. If this can be achieved, a feeling of serenity often lingers for hours after the yoga exercise.
Aerobics is also another popular form of exercise stress relief, as the fast-paced exercise helps to release endorphins within the body which results in happiness and security. Getting rid of pent up energy by doing aerobics is something that will release stress within itself.
Exercise tips for Stress Relief
If you choose yoga as a stress relief exercise but don’t have the time or endurance to perform an entire yoga session, there are a couple of moves you can do on a daily basis to help keep your stress in check. The first is a series of breathing exercises, performed while lying flat on your back.
Once in position, make sure your arms are flat against your body and your head is facing straight up. Close your eyes, and breathe. Using your nose, breathe in while counting to 5. Using your mouth, breathe out while counting to 5. Continue this cycle for 20 sets, all the while clearing everything but counting and breathing from your head.
The second yoga exercise for stress relief is a little more active but can be done before or after the breathing exercise. First, you’ll want to position yourself on your hands and knees with your head facing straight down. Next, you’ll use your right leg, lift it, and bring your knee in toward your face below you.
While you bring your knee in, breathe out slowly. Next, extend your leg back out behind you, while breathing in slowly. Once your leg is in mid-air and stretched behind you, hold it for a count of three, along with your breath, then repeat 10 times for each leg.
These short yoga exercises for stress relief can help turn a new leaf for you in your day to day activities, and its something that’s easy to keep as a part of your daily routine.
