Best exercise to combat stress

By Sophia McDermott, Lifestyle Coach & Fitness Expert. 

Life can get pretty stressful at times and we can go through rough phases of our lives. Throughout our journeys, it's not all rainbows and sunshines. However, there are a few things that we can do to help get through these stressful times or situations.

Exercising and working on your fitness is a great way to manage stress. There are some forms of exercise that are more rhythmic that put you in the zone such as running or swimming laps. There are more intense forms of exercise that  require complete focus such as martial arts. Intense exercise can create a physical outlet for all those not so positive emotions we may be feeling and also helps to put us in the present moment by being completely focused on the task at hand. If we are in the present moment then we can’t dwell on the past or worry about the future, right?

Being in the present moment is a very powerful thing and can help us on so many levels. Aside from dealing with trauma or divorce or chronic work stress, being in the present moment can help us deal with the hectic pace of our current lifestyles where we can often feel stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed. Sometimes it feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. And today with social media and the internet, people expect answers right away. In this day and age it can be very hard to switch off. The constant stress can make us unhappy, frustrated, and can even make us sick.

There are ways to help deal with the stress and being in the present moment is one of the best ways. One of the best ways of getting in the present moment is via exercise or working out. So find something that you love doing and put your ‘all in’ for the time that you are doing it. 

Exercise for your mental health.

• Try yoga, light jogging or swimming laps whereby the rhythmic movements can keep you in the zone.
• Find a martials academy or tennis school where you can workout or train with others and be in an uplifting environment.  
• Workout with a friend. Find a fitness buddy. Use this as an opportunity to work out your fitness and share your thoughts and feelings with a friend.
•  For a more indepth option, hire a Lifestyle Coach who can help create an integrated program for you and help guide you and hold you accountable
  

• Join the FIT EMPOWERED WOMAN membership. In my membership programs I am doing the workouts with you and you can join me once a week for a live strength workout. I am there to guide you and push you and to create an amazing, enjoyable experience which can take your mind off things.  You can take a look here: (add button with link: https://www.sophiamcdermott.com/membership/live

Use exercise as a form of active meditation of sorts that puts you in the present moment. There are a variety or exercises or ways to workout that can help get you in the zone as well as a variety of situations. Exercise is the healthiest outlet of them all and not only will it take your mind off things it will keep you fit, healthy and strong.