Don't give in to stress - fight it with exercise

By Brian J. Austin

A body can't tell the difference between stress from a physical threat - one we must fight or run from - and chronic, emotional stress. A body reacts the same way to both, releasing the hormones adrenaline, cortisol and insulin to provide the strength and energy to fight or run.

That's helpful if you must fight or run from a physical threat, but when was the last time you did that?

Unfortunately, when we face our most common stressors, we are sitting at a desk or behind the wheel. So what happens to all of that fat and glucose in the bloodstream that was supposed to give us quick energy? It is stored as fat, mostly in the body's midsection.

With prolonged or chronic stress, the cycle is repeated over and over, and more and more fat is stored in the midriff, and that can lead to other health problems.

The cure is simple: exercise.

Exercise burns fat and glucose, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, improves cardiovascular health and keeps hormones balanced. It helps bodies work efficiently.

Mentally, exercise calms negative emotions and stimulates positive biochemical changes that improve mood and relieve pain.

Simply put, a fit person can deal with stress better than a sedentary person.

When setting up an exercise program, it's important to include both aerobic activity and weight resistance.

And keep in mind that it's key to do exercises properly and to do the right exercises. Varying your routine is also important.

Researchers continue to find evidence of the harmful effects of chronic stress on our health. That's the bad news. The good news is that one of the best cures is fairly simple: a properly designed exercise program.

You may not be able to eliminate stress, but you can put yourself in better shape to handle it.

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