Exercise for stress management.

How to use exercise for stress management. Are you wondering if you are doing enough or too much? When is movement and exercise causing more stress then it helps to manage it? This is definitely a balancing act when it comes to our health. And it’s one where I see most people constantly swing from one end of the spectrum to the other.

How do we know when to push and when to back off?

So, there is not a straightforward answer to this since we all have different lives and preferences. But there are a few things that can help in the balancing act of how to use exercise for stress management.

• Have you been working a-lot lately?
• Have you had more stress than usual?
• Have you been sleeping the recommended hours?
• Have you been exercising and moving more than usual?
• Have the exercise / physical activity been more intense than usual?
• Have you been sick?

Let’s do a scenario. If you know that you haven’t been moving or exercising lately but you get the recommended hours of sleep but the stress at work is quite high. Then you could benefit from doing some form of movement.

Things to consider when using exercise for stress management.

You can be flexible with your approach to movement and exercise.

• Alter the intensity of a workout / exercise
• Do a shorter walk / workout
• Swap a gym class to a walk (could be a walk from work)
• Do some dynamic stretches at home
• Find an online class that you like the look of.

There are plenty of studies these days that show how important moving is for our bodies and our mental health. The focus here is on moving, not formal exercises. Something worth remembering when you feel drained after a day at work.

When to back off.

Let’s do a second scenario. Let’s say you have been exercising on a regular basis. You know you have been consistent for a longer period. A child has suddenly gotten sick and you are not getting much sleep or you are working extra long hours at the minute. This is a scenario where I would recommend you to back off. Doesn’t mean you would benefit from doing nothing. But taking a couple of sessions out and changing them for a walk, however long, feels good for you. Try and do some dynamic stretches 2-3 times a day might be what you need.

Consistency is key, not perfection. It’s the small habits that you can be consistent with that will make the biggest difference for your health.