Announcement
August 27, 2024
Feeling stressed this spring? Spend your spring break relaxing, unwinding, and focusing on decreasing your stress levels.
Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Stress is not inherently bad. It helps us stay motivated and can boost brainpower. Short bouts of stress have even been associated with improved immune systems.
However, when stress becomes too much, it can have detrimental emotional and physical effects. Stress over a prolonged period of time is called chronic stress, which can cause headaches, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, cardiovascular events, and more. Emotionally, stress can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, depression, and emotional exhaustion. For these reasons, it is vital to keep stress levels in check.
To avoid the negative effects of excess stress, focus on learning stress relief techniques and healthy coping skills.
- Exercise. Exercise is a common method for relieving stress. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and reduces stress hormones. Endorphins improve mood, help you think clearly, and give you more energy.
- Breathing exercises. Someone under excess stress may begin to take short, shallow breaths, known as hyperventilation. Consciously taking longer, deeper breaths can lower blood pressure relieve the anxious feelings caused by hyperventilation.
- Spending time outdoors. Just 20-30 minutes spent in nature can decrease levels of cortisol, a hormone which is involved in regulating your body’s response to stress.
- Healthy eating – Highly processed or sugary foods can increase feelings of anxiety, as can alcohol. Foods that are high in magnesium, such as bananas and broccoli, help relax the body by reducing inflammation and metabolizing cortisol. Vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein are all part of a stress-reducing diet.
There are many other methods for controlling stress and dealing with its effects. Just remember that not all stress relief methods are created equal – try to pick a healthy tactic and refrain from creating bad habits.
One type of exercise that comes to mind when discussing stress relief is yoga. Yoga can loosen muscles that carry tension, such as the neck, shoulders, and back. It also encourages controlled breathing habits and increases concentration. Yoga promotes relaxation, which is a vital component of stress relief.
Want to try yoga? We offer seven hours of yoga classes each week. Group fitness classes are available to platinum members and anyone who purchases a day pass. Don’t forget to register on our website or the Mindbody app!
