Here is today's conundrum:  You want to work out, but you are just too stressed...

True, there is no one who can’t relate to feeling stressed, but there is also no one who should use it as a reason to remain stagnant. Movement – be it slow and gentle or an all-in sweaty workout – is the best stress relief you’ll ever know. Not only does it distract you from whatever is taking up too much space in your head, but it rewards you with those godsend endorphins. And just in case you aren’t already a big fan of endorphins, let’s review why you should be.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of endorphins is:

Any of a group of endogenous peptides, found especially in the brain, that bind chiefly to opiate receptors and produce some pharmacological effects (as pain relief) like those of opiates. ** When you work out, the brain produces these wonderful neurochemicals. Endorphins are similar to morphine, because they activate opioid receptors and reduce discomfort. At the same time, they promote happiness and a sense of calm. ** But there is even more behind the happy surge when you exercise. Science teaches us that low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and/or norepinephrine are linked to depression. With movement, your brain naturally increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Voila, you feel better.

It goes even deeper. In the CNN article, “Why Endorphins (and exercise) Make You Happy,” J. Kip Matthews, PhD, a sport and exercise psychologist, reveals some incredible information. “What appears to be happening is that exercise affords the body an opportunity to practice responding to stress, streamlining the communication between the systems involved in the stress response. The less active we become, the more challenged we are in dealing with stress.”

So, as we exercise we not only increase endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. We actually increase communication among all the stress relieving systems in our bodies and become more efficient at handling stress!

And you do not need to be an Olympian to reap the benefits of movement. Whether you have been a sports enthusiast your whole life or feel sluggish and out of shape, movement trumps stress (it also gets you in great shape). A little bit goes a very long way. Embrace your ability to move through – and beyond – stress.  

In Get Moving For Stress Relief, Part 2, I’ll discuss strategies for keeping healthy movement in your life. But now, it’s time to – you guessed it – move!