“I have too much to do.” I feel so tired.” I’m too stressed to exercise right now.” Sound familiar? Ever have these thoughts? This is the time when exercise should pop into your mind! Exercise is not only great for your health and your looks, it’s an excellent stress reducer!

Stress can be very draining on one’s body and mind. Often when we are tired, we are not actually tired from lack of sleep, we are tired from stress.  This is the one of the best times to exercise! Exercising helps your body to release stress and rewards you with a renewed energy! By going on a run, walk or taking the bike out for a spin, you will feel your body start to relax a little. Take deep breaths while you are exercising and try to think of pleasant thoughts. Don’t think about your problems at this time, take a break from whatever is making you feel stressed. After you finish exercising you will have a refreshed feeling and you may not be as stressed as you were before you started. You may actually find you have a solution for your problem that you didn’t think about.  When you let your mind relax and think about pleasant thoughts your mind gets a rest. When your mind is rested, it will be able to give you solutions more easily.

If  you find yourself in a stressful situation and exercise is not an option, taking 3-5 deep breaths,  stretching your arms and legs can help. If you are at the office and can take a 5 minutes break, take a walk outside around the building and breathe deeply. It’s surprising how much this little exercise can do for you. If it’s your lunch break, take a walking lunch and eat your lunch at your desk when you get back, if possible. There is usually a solution for some sort of exercise, either stretching, deep breathing, or both, when an exercise activity is not possible. Be creative, but whatever you do, find something you can do to de-stress.