Home » Heart Health » How exercise can provide stress relief for heart health
The prevalence of stress in modern day society has made the management of that same stress one of the most pertinent up and coming fields of research. Exercise, or generally any physical activity, has always rightfully been touted to us as one of the easiest ways to improve our physical health, but we’re starting to see its impact on our mental health too. For any of us that consistently lift weights, go for runs, or play a sport, we’re well aware of the uplift that comes after the activity. So, how exactly does this work, and is exercise truly an effective stress management practice?
Before looking into the impact of exercise on stress, let’s look at why it is pivotal that we manage that stress effectively.
Stress and heart health are closely related. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on heart health by increasing the risk of several heart-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. When a person experiences stress, the body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which cause the heart rate to increase, blood vessels to narrow, and blood pressure to rise. This can increase the workload on the heart and cause damage over time. Therefore, it’s important to manage stress effectively to maintain overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart-related conditions, which are the leading cause of death worldwide.
Exercise provides stress relief through several mechanisms, including:
Each of these types of exercise release endorphins, improve your sleep, and provide a mental distraction. In this section we will outline the unique ways in which each of these types of physical activity help manage stress.
Aerobic exercise is a type of physical activity that increases the heart rate and breathing rate to provide oxygen to the body’s muscles. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, cycling, swimming, jumping rope, and brisk walking. The goal of aerobic exercise is to maintain an elevated heart rate for an extended period of time, improving cardiovascular fitness and overall health.
How it helps with stress management.
Resistance training, also known as strength training, is a type of exercise that involves working against resistance to build strength, muscle mass, and improve overall physical fitness. This can be achieved through the use of weights (such as dumbbells or barbells), resistance bands, or body weight exercises. Examples of resistance training exercises include bench press, bicep curls, squats, lunges, and push-ups. Resistance training is beneficial for building strength, improving bone density, and increasing overall physical fitness.
How it helps with stress management.
Mind-body exercise is a type of physical activity that involves the integration of physical movements with mental focus, breathing techniques, and mindfulness. The goal of mind-body exercise is to improve physical and mental well-being through the practice of self-awareness and stress reduction. Examples of mind-body exercise include yoga, tai chi, meditation, and Pilates. Mind-body exercise can improve physical fitness, flexibility, balance, and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
How it helps with stress management.
Exercise can play a vital role in reducing stress and improving heart health. Whether it’s through aerobic exercise, resistance training, or mind-body exercise, each form of exercise has unique stress-relieving benefits that can contribute to a healthy heart. Regular physical activity can also help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, boost mood, improve sleep quality, and promote overall physical and mental well-being. To gain the maximum benefits, it is recommended to engage in regular exercise, including a combination of aerobic, resistance, and mind-body exercises for a balanced approach to stress relief and heart health.
Finally, pair your new understanding of exercise as a stress management technique with the use of a heart monitoring device to know exactly how you’re impacting your heart. Purchase the revolutionary Frontier X2 and be on your way to a healthier tomorrow!
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