After my last blog I had a lot of questions regarding the impact of exercise on managing stress so here is a little more information. In this crazy modern world we live in we can all feel the effects of stress with perhaps not even being aware of it. The pressure of juggling work with family life not to mention the madness of Hollywood can sometimes be overwhelming leaving little time for exercise or sports and recreation but here’s why finding just a little time each day to work out could be well worth it. Not only does exercise keep the heart healthy and get oxygen into the system, but it helps deplete stress hormones and releases mood-enhancing chemicals which help us cope with stress better.

These are often classified to be the happy hormones. Any form of physical activity leads to the release of these feel good neurotransmitters. The increase in endorphins in your body leads to a feeling of euphoria, modulation of appetite, the release of different sex hormones and an enhancement of immune response. This helps combat the negative effects of stress. Many leading psychiatrist's and therapists speak of the benefits of exercise on the mind and is the first thing they recommend in combating mental health issues.

Human beings are designed to move, not sit on chairs and stare at computer screens so if you work in an office environment chances are you need to make more of an effort as exercise is an essential part of good body and mind function. The good news is that exercise is your shortest route to stress relief and a feeling of well-being. So whether you enjoy to push weights, run, swim cycle, yoga, hike, play sports or any other type of workout you will be on the right track. Once you are around 10 minutes into a work out you’ll soon find that you have forgotten the days irritations and will be concentrated on your bodies movements. This focus on a single task as you shed your tension through movement will help you remain calm and clear in everything that you do.

Regular exercise can increase self confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. It can also improve your sleep which is most often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety leading to a sense of command over your body and your life. 
But whatever exercise you try, you will soon discover its major benefits are not only physical but also that it allows you to forget your problems.
Exercise helps you to shed the day's irritations and the focus you place on your feel good exercise results in higher energy levels and optimism can help you feel clearer and calmer.

Not only do you become completely absorbed in what you are doing at the time. But the positive endorphins that exercise releases will also help you maintain a more positive outlook afterwards. Everyone knows that exercise is good for you and that it is one of the best stress combatants available; however the majority of peoples' excuse is that they are too busy and stressed to fit it into their routines.