Stress is typically defined as an upsetting emotional state that can be characterized by muscular tension, irritability, depression, increased heart rate and an increase in blood pressure.
Exercise helps you blow off steam, alleviating stress and anxiety.
There is no doubt that stress affects our sleeping patterns.
The very first step in stress reduction is to identify the cause.
There is enough stress to go around in today's fast-paced world to overflow every yoga studio and meditation room in this country.
Traffic, the economy, work, kids, family, your significant other, bills - these are all just a few of the many sources of stress you may feel in your life.
Click Image To Enlarge. There Are Many Sources Of Stress You May Feel In Your Life.
What Is Stress?
Stress is typically defined as an upsetting emotional state that can be characterized by muscular tension, irritability, depression, increased heart rate and an increase in blood pressure.
However, there are really two types of stress: distress and eustress. The description above defines distress. Eustress on the other hand is a positive form of stress. Think of the elation you would feel by winning the lottery. That is eustress - good stuff, though it can still be overwhelming.
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Some stress is actually good and results in increased productivity (think of that bell shaped curve - an upside down "U" - you want to be at the top or on the way up). But when the stress is piled on and becomes overwhelming, productivity can start to slip.
Distress can wreck havoc on the body and make a person depressed, anxious, panicky and fatigued. In addition, stress can make concentrating difficult, decrease your short-term memory and interrupt your sleep.
Click Image To Enlarge. Distress Can Wreck Havoc On The Body And Make A Person Depressed, Anxious, Panicky And Fatigued.
Over a prolonged period of time, stress is related to a number of diseases and disorders including heart attacks, hypertension, headaches, depression, and weight gain.
How Bodybuilding Can Help You Decrease Your Distress
There are many methods that can be used to help decrease stress. These include:
A Regular Exercise Program: Exercise helps you blow off steam, alleviating stress and anxiety. And, exercise enhances blood flow (and therefore oxygen) through the body, stimulates the release of the feel good chemicals - endorphins, and it makes you feel good about yourself.
If there's one thing you've done right and accomplished during the day then when all else seems to go wrong, at least you've achieved something!
Stress & Sleep Problems!
We all understand the importance of quality sleep. However, it has been reported that as much as 60% of the US population suffers.
Eat A Balanced Diet: When people get stressed they often throw their diet to the wayside and eat whatever is convenient. Unfortunately, a nutrient-poor diet will only compound your stress by making you feel sluggish, unfocused and even apathetic at times.
As a bodybuilder you know better and eat better. Eating a healthy diet will help you balance your blood sugar levels, provide the vitamins and minerals you need and help you keep your energy levels stable and your immune system in top shape.
Click Image To Enlarge. As A Bodybuilder You Know Better And Eat Better.
Get Organized: Disorganization compounds stress. In addition, many people feel stressed because they don't take enough time for themselves, they feel like they can't get everything done in the day and they haven't developed an adequate support system.
By bodybuilding, you are taking the time for yourself to do something positive. In addition, bodybuilding helps bolster your confidence and the more confidence you have the more likely you are to see other options in life. Once you realize that there are tons of options to most situations in life, your stress will decrease and the future will certainly start to look brighter.
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Sleep: Have you ever had a bad day that just gets worse when you lay in bed tossing and turning and thinking about the past 12 hours? There is no doubt that stress affects our sleeping patterns.
But, luckily, if you are a bodybuilder your exercise routine helps you wind down and sleep better. And a better night's sleep will certainly help as you face the world each day.
Click Image To Enlarge. A Better Night's Sleep Will Certainly Help As You Face The World Each Day.
Additional Tips To Decrease Your Stress
The very first step in stress reduction is to identify the cause of the stress.
Remove yourself from the stressor as much as possible (at least temporarily).
Bodybuilding is the best thing for making your overall life rock-solid. We all face stress at various times in our lives and engaging in a regular exercise routine will help you manage your daily stress so that it doesn't build up to monumental levels.
And, bodybuilding makes you improve your diet because you to fuel yourself for hardcore physical activity.
About The Author:
Marie Spano is a leading authority on translating the latest nutrition and exercise science research into real life applications. Ms. Spano has also helped Olympic athletes, NFL-bound athletes and Fortune 500 executives enhance their health and performance through sound nutrition practices. She is a regular contributor to bodybuilding.com. For more information see: www.mariespano.com.
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