Exercise and Stress
Stress is something every single one of us experience, often on a daily basis. It comes in different severities and the way we react to it is unique to every single one of us. Not many of us are aware of just how damaging stress can be and how it can not only mentally but physically affect us.
The two main stress hormones are Cortisol and Adrenaline and when these are out of whack it can lead to weight gain, foggy brain, lethargy and lack of sleep. Cortisol works by sparking fear when our body feels threatened. It puts us into something called ‘fight or flight’ mode which sends emergency blood sugar for energy to our muscles and brain and suppressing other bodily functions such as the digestive system. It is all well and good for emergencies but if we are under constant stress cortisol can cause some trouble for us.
We know exercise is good for us because it keeps our muscles, heart and joints healthy whilst boosting endorphin levels. However, at the same time exercise (high impact) is a stressor to the body, it raises these stress hormones and creates inflammation in the body. It can also be a catalyst for our body entering ‘fight or flight’ mode which we all want to try to avoid as much as we can. So how do we manage it?
LISTEN to your body. When you feel stressed or anxious stop, take a breath and try to slow that fight or flight mode down. Easier said than done I know but being able to read when you’re stressed is a very good start.
MOVE GENTLY. If you have had a particularly rushed day and your heart is going a million miles per hour then please don’t go and do anything high impact or mad in terms of fitness. The GS Method is designed to help balance your stress hormones, by using very low impact small movements that fatigue your muscles from the inside out. It’s a clever way of training as it is effective but takes care of your Cortisol and Adrenaline.
EAT WELL. Try to cut down on stimulants such as caffeine, processed sugar, alcohol and also DO NOT skip meals. Keeping blood sugar balanced is another factor of keeping those stress levels down.
FRESH AIR. If you don’t particularly feel like exercising because you’re exhausted then go for a short walk. Moving your circulation and lymphatic system can help balance the hormones without spiking anything even further.
STRETCH it out. Doing a nice gentle stretch/mobility session can help to remove inflammation that may have built up in the body. It can also help your digestive system function if it’s been affected by stress.
All in all, exercise is good for us, physically and mentally but tailoring it to how we are feeling is key to long term sustainable results and energy.