We all face a lot of stress, and it’s tough! But did you know that sometimes stress can actually improve our physical fitness? Our expert shares some easy, do-it-yourself relaxation tips and explains how a little stress might be good for you.
Have you ever had someone ask if you’re stressed, looking all concerned? Chances are, if you’re getting this question often, you probably are stressed. Stress often comes from not sleeping well, eating poorly, and juggling the demands of work and family. It can even come from an injury, like getting a cut, which stresses your body. But as your body heals, it can become stronger.
As a Fitness Trainer, I add stress through exercise to help people improve their strength and conditioning. The human body gets stronger by repairing itself from stress. Without stress, our bodies grow weak, leading to poor posture, muscle loss, and weak bones. A life without stress can lead to disease and poor habits.
However, not all stress is the same. Negative stress, like eating refined sugar or smoking, causes inflammation. Inflammation combined with emotional stress can be harmful.
Some stress, however, is good for us and necessary. The right kind of stress helps our bodies repair and recover, making us stronger. Here are two areas where you can start balancing stress and recovery:
First, if work is making you emotionally stressed, practice diaphragmatic breathing. This type of breathing, like what you see in a sleeping baby, helps calm you down. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Your belly should rise first. Try to make your exhale twice as long as your inhale. Controlling your breath helps control your emotions. You can also try Tai Chi or Yoga for mindful movement.
Second, focus on strength and conditioning. The key is to move properly and move often. Always remember the Hippocratic Oath: “Do no harm.” Whether you work out alone or with a group, preventing injury should be a priority.
If you sit for most of the day, your upper back, hips, and ankles are likely tight. This can cause imbalances and limit your mobility. A great stretch to prepare for exercise and loosen tight areas is the Lunge Stretch with T-Spine Rotation. This stretch helps prevent injuries while building strength.
Rule number one is to avoid harm, and rule number two is to push yourself as much as you can without breaking the first rule. Pushing beyond your comfort zone stimulates your body to repair and improve.
Strength and conditioning offer many benefits like better lymphatic drainage, pain relief, increased strength, and endurance. But these benefits depend on good nutrition, sleep, and the right mindset. Without these, too much stress can hinder recovery and repair.
Professional athletes may train up to four hours a day, but they spend the rest of their time recovering. We might not train as intensely, but we can still find a balance between stress and recovery.
Finding this balance helps prevent disease and keeps us on the road to health and optimal function.
