Dealing with Stress and Anxiety: A Fitness Journey to Inner Peace
Let’s face it: life can get pretty overwhelming at times, and it’s easy to feel like the stress and anxiety of work, family, and never-ending to-do lists will never stop spinning. We have all been there right? The good news is that dealing with stress and anxiety can and should not feel like an extra chore to do, or an uphill battle you have to face. It’s possible to actually make the process part of your fitness journey with manage stress and anxiety through fitness! So pull up your favorite blanket/fuzzy socks and a warm (or smoothie) drink, and let’s talk about how to more easily find a sense of calm in a time of chaos.
Comprehending Stress and Anxiety
First and foremost, we are going to identify what we are dealing with. Stress is like the annoying friend who keeps showing up uninvited, and then does not leave. Stress is our body’s normal response to demanding situations, whether it is a work deadline, a family gathering, or any other kind of pressing emotional demand. Anxiety is a little more complicated, but in essence, it is that annoying feeling of worrying about things that have not happened yet.
Both are perfectly reasonable, normal, and human responses to stress and worry about things. But when they start to bother us in our day-to-day lives, we need to address them. Believe me, I know exactly how it feels to lie awake at night worrying about something that is not even on the horizon. It is completely exhausting! To protect yourself from this, manage stress and anxiety through fitness.
1. Move Your Body:
For me, there is just nothing like the stress-melting benefits of a good workout. Exercise is virtually magical for your mood! When you are moving your body, your body is also producing endorphins or the natural feel-good hormones. So however you want to get moving—brisk walking, a kickboxing work-out, or a little dance party in your living room—moving your body is a great way to release stress!
2. Find Your Zen:
Have you tried yoga? If you have been thinking about it, now is the time! Yoga has truly changed how I manage my stress. It is not just what poses I can do; it lets me feel balanced and at peace inside me. I remember my first yoga class that required me to hold a downward dog for a long time, while my mind raced with a million thoughts, and my muscles were just not strong enough to hold my body in that position. I could not find my breath, and flash-forward, and I never would imagine not doing yoga regularly!
Additionally, there are tons of resources free on the Internet, and YouTube is filled with mind-blowing yoga flows at all levels. Just find a flow you like to do, and hit the mats!
3. Embrace Mindfulness:
Mindfulness may appear to be a daunting concept, but it really is just being fully present and aware of your thinking process, while not judging or analyzing. You can simply think of it as an opportunity to provide yourself with a mental pause. When I was just starting my mindfulness practice, I would simply engage in a couple of minutes of breathing exercises. When I would just close my eyes and focus on my breathing for a couple of minutes, I felt so rejuvenated! You can also use things like Headspace or Calm App to provide you with a guided body scan, which I believe makes it very accessible… it’s just like a mini vacation for your brain; and who wouldn’t want that?
4. Feed Your Body:
Now, let’s discuss food, because what we eat dramatically impacts how we feel! Imagine that your body is a car—it requires the right amount of fuel to run it properly! Whole and nutritious foods (ex. vegetables, whole grains, lean meats) seems to support my energy a little more, as well as maintain my mood. And for the record, it’s okay to treat yourself. An inexpensive night in with your favorite snacks and a movie can be just as relaxing and healing.
5. Engage With Others:
This might just be the most important piece of advice: Do not underestimate the potential of human connection. Sharing a laugh with a friend over coffee or chatting with a family member can go a long way to help ease your burden. I recently started a walk-and-talk group with some of my friends and I am astonished at how energizing just talking while moving has been.
6. Be Kind to Yourself:
At the end of the day, you should also allow yourself grace. Moving through stress and anxiety is a journey, and not a race. Some days will be easier than others, and that is perfectly fine. A piece of advice from somebody who has had experience in this is to say that it is okay to take a “me” day each once in a while. Just last week, I had one of those days where everything just felt heavy and overwhelming. I opted to not “push through” but rather to give myself a “me day”, where I just had snacks, read a good book, and did absolutely nothing. Sometimes, you just need a refresher, and that is okay!
Final thoughts
You can do it! Take things a little at a time, and you will find that part of your health journey involves managing stress and anxiety. Take time to move, practice mindfulness, fuel your body, connect with others, and always, always have self compassion. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.
So here’s to helping each other challenge our stress and move toward living a more balanced and joyful life with manage stress and anxiety through fitness. Come on, let’s go.
Learn more articles: Stress Management Techniques
