Beating Stress by Exercising
By the staff of Heartland Human Services
Are you feeling stressed? You are not alone! Due to the demanding work we are involved in, we all struggle to manage our stress levels. Increasingly, research shows that one of the best ways to reduce stress is exercise. According to Dr. David Holmes of the University of Kansas, regular aerobic exercise reduces stress by helping the body to release endorphins and by burning off stress-related chemicals. Research done at California State University has shown that 30 minutes of intense aerobic exercise immediately reduces tension and moderate exercise, such as walking, does so even MORE effectively.
As an added bonus, activities such as walking can also improve your work performance. A recent study at the U of I split 24 subjects into two groups. One walked up to 45 minutes three times a week and the other group only stretched for one hour three times a week. Six months later, the walkers scored 15% higher on tests measuring the ability to focus and perform multiple mental tasks. The study's author, Dr. Arthur Kramer, explained, "Aerobic exercise may improve blood flow to the area of the brain that controls the ability to sort and process information." So if you are looking to decrease your stress and increase your work performance, put on your walking shoes!