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Jumpstart Your Fitness: With a stress-relieving workout
Posted on Nov 5th 2007 6:00AM by Rigel Celeste
If you're having trouble staying on track with your workout it might have something to do with your stress level. It's hard to make time for working out if you're already feeling rushed with a mile-long 'to do" list, but if you can just get yourself started exercise can be a great outlet and a wonderful way to relax. But not all forms of exercise are created equal in this department -- some are much more relaxing than others.The best workouts for relieving stress:
- Yoga and Pilates. The stretching and controlled breathing help to relax you and to relieve anxiety. It's important to make sure you're doing the moves correctly though, so if you're a beginner it would probably be a good idea to enroll in a class.
- The Batting Cage. This one sounds like FUN. Improve coordination and release stress by smacking some balls with everything you've got. It's surprisingly inexpensive and they can be found in most areas if you know where to look (usually private gyms or family-oriented amusement parks).
- Dancing lessons. This is one that I would love to do, I just need a friend or somebody to go with me. Dance is a great way to get a whole-body workout while listening to upbeat music and getting an aerobic workout.
- Rock Climbing. You don't have to risk your life and find a real cliff to get the health and stress-relieving benefits of climbing -- most gyms offer artificial rock walls with trained staff to help you get started.
- Rowing. Workout your core and upper body muscles while also spending time in the scenery and on the water, which is naturally relaxing.
- Tennis. If you've ever watched a tennis match in your life you've heard the famous grunts and other strange sounds the players make when striking the ball with the racket -- it's a great way to release tense and anxious energy. And you can do it alone by returning balls off a brick or concrete wall, or play with a friend.
- Swimming. It helps with endurance, strength, and cardiovascular health in a low impact and relaxing (the water!) way.
- Walking. Anytime you're feeling stressed a nice brisk walk could be the perfect fix as studies have shown that walking can help improve mood/reduce depression. The suggested pace is 60-70% of your maximum heart rate on either a treadmill or outdoors, although outdoors you will get more variety!
