It’s fair to say that most of us have felt stressed at some point in our lives. In fact, a recent study found that 74% of UK adults often feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with day-to-day activities. [Source: Mental Health Foundation]

Living in an interconnected world is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, friends and family are only a chat box away. On the other, we spend countless hours comparing ourselves to people on social media. The way we work has also changed. Nowadays, we take fewer breaks, spend less time outside and mostly communicate through attention-zapping screens.

The reasons why we’re stressed are multifaceted and too broad to cover here. What we’re more interested in is the antidote – how can we calm our anxiety to live healthier and more fulfilling lives? One of the most effective solutions is exercise, thanks to its mood-boosting properties.

Keep reading as we answer your most pressing questions, including: how does exercise reduce stress? Plus, we’ll reveal some of the best exercises for stress relief.

What happens when we’re stressed?

We often talk about stress in an abstract way, brushing over the physiological response. However, a chemical reaction happens beneath the skin, which impacts our cognitive abilities, heart rate, digestion and more.

Stress is the body’s way of reacting to threats. It triggers the fight or flight response and rouses the not-so-aptly named sympathetic nervous system, flooding the body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While this doesn’t sound particularly pleasant, it’s a vital process for our survival.

So, what’s the problem? These systems don’t know the difference between real and perceived threats, meaning they activate when there’s no danger present. Something as simple as a disagreement with your spouse can cause these emergency functions to go into overdrive.

How does exercise reduce stress?

Thankfully, exercise for stress relief can bring equilibrium back to the body and mind. Not only does it reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels, but it stimulates the production of endorphins. These feel-good brain chemicals are natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Hormones aside, exercise is linked to better body image and self-esteem. When we feel good about ourselves, we’re more likely to walk through life confidently. The weight we lose and the gains we make in the gym provide a sense of accomplishment that filters through to everything we do.

Lastly, research shows that loneliness is a source of acute and chronic stress. Exercise classes combat this by creating a community of like-minded fitness enthusiasts. As well as boosting your physical and emotional health, you’ll make brand-new friends who share your passion for putting the work in! [Source: NCBI]

What’s the best exercise to relieve stress?

Ultimately, the best exercise to relieve stress is the one you can stick to – there’s no point forcing yourself through something you don’t enjoy. With that said, the below movement practices are especially effective at promoting wellbeing.

Are there any other ways to reduce stress?

Reducing stress requires a holistic approach – one that includes exercise alongside good nutrition, detox treatments and some tech-free downtime. If you need a little guidance, why not join us for a luxury residential health retreat.

The Mind Body Restorer promises to soothe your senses. Here, you’ll step away from overflowing to-do lists into a world of calm and relaxation. Days starts with a peaceful country walk, followed by healthy food demos and motivating health talks. The afternoons are filled with healing massages, calming aromatherapy showers and mind relaxing yoga or sound bowl sessions.

During your stay, we’ll take care of your dietary requirements. The kitchen serves mouth-watering plant-based recipes that boost microbial diversity and energy levels.

Kick-start your wellness journey today

It can be challenging to begin an exercise for stress regime, but it’ll keep you feeling fabulous well into your twilight years. We can help you in several ways – join us for a residential stay that will leave you feeling lighter and brighter.