Walking For Stress Management

Exercise is one of simplest and most effective means of stress management, both for stress prevention as well for stress reduction.

A small amount of exercise every day brings on “relaxation response” and lowers the stress hormone cortisol levels.

Whether you prefer jogging or a gentle swim, yoga, golf or a brisk walk, we all feel better after some exercise.

Walking and other exercise leads to the release of the body's natural happy drugs - endorphins. Walkers who walk at a higher heart rate will notice this effect more than those who walk at a slower heart rate pace. But even at a slower pace, most people notice an improvement in mood.

Walking gives you time to think, as well as time to get away from the stressors.

Getting out of the stressful environment, breathing the air and feeling your body move is natural stress-relief.

Benefits of walking:

• Put physical and mental distance between you and the stress-causing environment.

• Time away from the stressors to clear your head.

• Many people carry stress by tensing their muscles. By getting into your correct walking posture and form, you unknot those muscles and put them to work.

• Observe the environment around you, enjoy the trees, flowers, birds, gardens, sky, storefronts. Try mindful walking.

• Feel your body in motion, reconnect with yourself.

• Wear off stress-eating related calories.

• Take time to work through problems and possible solutions as you walk. (This is my favorite)

• Talk and laugh with your walking partner to relieve the stress.

• Let off steam and vent with your walking partner.

• See that there is more to life than your problems.

• Lower your blood pressure and your heart health risk which can be increased by stress.

Related Articles

Walking Meditation

How Regular Exercises Can Reduce Stress?