Photo By Jerry Bunkers
When we exercise, our brain releases endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals all work together to make us feel good. Also, after exercising we may feel a sense of success and our muscles will relax deeper because of the workout – easing tension and strain. We come back to our everyday life with a sense of calm.
Yoga has been shown in studies to reduce tension and stress while improving mood. Yoga focuses on a range of stretching, breathing and motion that create a release of negative emotions in the body. Yoga, interestingly, has been shown to be particularly effective for men (compared to other exercises like swimming). Men know that stretching is good, but they don't often consider adding yoga to their workout regimen. Consider adding a day of yoga stretching to your weekly workout schedule. Your mood will be elevated, and your body will thank you.
To increase the chemical mood high, add in some intense cardiovascular exercise and aerobics. Bike riding, running, dance classes, anything that gets your heart pumping will help increase these good mood chemicals coursing through your body. This is especially important when your daily life includes a high stress, children, and multiple extracurricular activities. You want to be your best emotionally, and you want decrease the damage that stress can do to your body. Even if your life is generally calm, it’s a good idea to keep from getting down and blah from inactivity.
Keep fit, keep moving…
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