Research shows clearly that regular enjoyable physical exercise can reduce stress and anxiety in many ways, for example exercise:
- reduces the body’s response to stress by boosting the “feel-good” hormone serotonin in the brain
- improves our breathing mechanics (more on the huge benefits of that later)
- stimulates our heart and blood vessels
- boosts oxygen and energy efficiency in all our cells
- helps balance our hormonal systems and our metabolism
- evens out our reactions of fright and flight to events in our lives
- gives us a sense of achievement and self-worth
- boosts vitamin D levels if we are outside
- connects us with others if we are in a class or out and about
- improves sleep patterns and good sleep helps us to regulate our emotions more easily…
…a virtuous circle of benefit, maybe that’s why getting to a class or getting outside makes us feel virtuous too!