From the article: Workouts for Stress Relief
How do you deal with stress? If you’re like most people, you probably have do a mixture of things - some healthy and some not-so-healthy. Exercise is a great way to reduce tension, but there are so many options to choose from. Is there a right or wrong exercise for stress reduction? Leave your tips for how you manage stress with exercise. Share Your Tips
Elliptical workouts
- After a really stressful day at work, (and there are many!)I love to go to the gym, put one of my favorite playlists on, and just go crazy on the eliptical machine!
- —Guest Kikigirl
WALKING WITH MUSIC
- In all my time of trying to find the best destressor, I was told try walking (indoors or out) with a fast beat music. And it really works. I walk and the music prevents my mind to wander to the items that are stressing me, so I can enjoy my walk. I feel as if I had a good nite sleep and got to sleep in.
- —Guest jacjerkids
boxing
- i go boxing and take all my stress and anger away with that. makes you feel good and its a good cardio workout away from weights.
- —Guest matty
Dancing
- When i dance even in a certain place in the house,in my room,makes me feel relieve of my stress in work,a good music that's pleasant to hear and sweating out from dancing is relaxing for me
- —Guest Marjorie
Zen and the Art of the Treadmill
- There's nothing quite as comfortable as sweatpants after a long day at the office. And after a particularly rough day, I enjoy hopping on the treadmill for a little zen time. First, I let my mind cover all the stressors that need resolutions so I can get a plan of action down. Then, with a clear mind, I'm able to concentrate on nothing but the sheer pleasure of motion. I usually find half an hour to an hour has zipped by when I'm done. The best thing about doing it on a treadmill is I don't have to worry about traffic, stray dogs, bad weather, etc. Its a guilty pleasure without the guilt.
- —Guest Kristy
Tai Chi
- I have to say life has been very stressful the whole year of 2008, reason: Recovering from Cancer. So I've found that practice of Tai Chi to be very helpful. I totally get lose in the slow movement of the exercise, and feel like a new person once my session is over. I hope this will help, I also walk 3 to 4 times per week 4.5 miles. Look forward to reading what others find helpful. Regards, 1Stepaheda
- —Guest Stepaheda
MEDITATION
- I do meditation when I'm not able to take a walk. I've learned a technique to relax all the muscles through deep breathing and relaxation. It works very good. Sometimes a fell asleep but I wake up energized.
- —Guest ANAID
Sunbathing
- Where I live, it's cold now--we had snow last night and it's in the 30's. But to beat stress, I bundle up and go sit in the sun outside for a few minutes. As I do this in the fall and winter, I always put sun tan lotion on my face (that's all that shows) because the lotion aroma makes me think I'm sunbathing at the pool in the summer!
- —Guest crunchhourly
Walk it off!
- When I'm having a very stressful day, I can't wait to get outdoors and go for a long walk. I try to walk almost every day covering about 4-5 miles in an hour. It's important for me to leave my i-Pod at home and take in the outdoors with all of my senses! By the time I return home, I'm ready to re-enter the world without stress! Walking solo works best to de-stress.
- —mwardm
Weight Workouts & a massage
- I work out three times a week with a personal trainer using weights with a mixture of cardio. To really relax I get a deep muscle massage once a week. My husband and I have a "date night" once a week, although we are empty nesters, taking the effort to dress up and go out to eat and have time to really communicate with each other is priceless -- from there we walk to a movie.
- —Guest Ariel
Relax While Exercising
- I like to float away while exercising. The exercises are easier to do and my mind is rested.
- —Guest Beviejo
Your Favourite Sport
- I like to ride horseback, skate and ski. Any one of these sports is helpful for getting my mind off of problems. Outdoors is best, but sometimes riding and skating have to be done indoors (in an arena or rink), but can still make the day feel worth getting up for.
- —Guest Kathy
Running is the best medicine
- For me, taking a long, slow run outside is the best way to reduce stress. Something about that slow, rhythmic movement quiets the mind and let's me either forget about my problems or work through them in a productive way. The fresh air clears my head and, when I get back home, I feel a little better about things.
- —Guest Runner
Pilates and Jogging
- Jogging allows me to think over things and solve problems while pilates allows me to release my stress throughthe outward breaths. Both are great but finding time while being a single mom raising a 20 month active little girl is difficult. Pilates works best for me because it's not as time consuming as the jogging. I also hit the stairs at work on my lunch break.
- —Guest feronberg26
