Include stress management in your fitness program for better longterm fitness, better mental health, and less risk of injury and illness.
What Is Fitness?
When most people talk about being fit, they think of it in terms of physical strength and cardio fitness.
While these are elements of fitness, it is really about your body’s ability to perform and function well in the conditions and stresses you are subjected to. A well-functioning body:
- has a strong and effective immune system
- can recover quickly from physical stress placed on the body, without unjury
- can adapt to challenges you subject your body to
- can keep a clear and positive mindset
Frequent exercise and movement trigger the body to adapt and become stronger and more efficient at these activities. This includes delivering oxygen, energy and nutrients around the body faster, as well as utilising them.
Intense exercise is also a form of stress on the body, as it forces the body to work hard at the upper end of its maximum capacity.
It needs time and support, to be able to recover so that it can:
- repair and restore i.e. muscle after strength training and the body’s energy stores
- adapt or improve its efficiency e.g. neural pathways for more efficient movement cardio & improved respiratory function
- keep your immune system functioning with immune cells being renewed and ramped up when required
What Does Stress Do To Our Body?
When the body is experiencing stress (whether physical, mental, or emotional), it switches to operate under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system keeps the body ready to remove you from the stress(es) (perceived as dangers) i.e. the fight ot flight response. During periods of stress, body systems like digestion, sleep, and the repair and restoration functions can be impaired.
Ways To Help Manage Stress
To keep your body in its well-functioning state, it needs to operate more with the parasympathetic nervous system. There are a number of ways you can help ensure your body operates with the parasympathetic nervous system more often:
- Ensure you have rest days between intense workouts
- Practice gentle movement between intense workouts
- Practice deep slow breathing methods each day
- Practice mobilisation and stretching activities regularly, if not daily
- Practice good sleep routines for better quality sleep
- Monitor and adjust the intensity of physical activities and workouts when work and other parts of your life are elevating your stress levels
Practicing stress management daily will help your keep a more even level of stress within in the body overall. Practicing stress management only when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, is going to take more effort and down time from stressful activities, like exercise, to recover from.
Build the regular habit and make this part of your routine for better overall performance, especially during stressful times.
Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for general knowledge and education only. It is not personalized health or medical advice. We highly recommend you consult with your doctor before beginning any fitness program. Karen El-Azzi, the founder and sole trader of Thrive Together, and its coaches, are not liable for any injury or adverse effects that result from following the general information provided here.