Are you thriving or surviving? Ask yourself, how you are. If the answer you get is “I am surviving”. Then analyse whether this is the best way to feel about life. Don’t accept a gloomy frame of mind. The human body is absolutely an amazing machine. If you put in the right amount of activity levels and eat nutritious foods, you can truly start feeling fantastic. Exercise is better than any pill.

Any physical activity — be it yoga, breathing techniques, stretching exercises, running or martial arts — can help release stress. You will be amazed to discover how exercise can help de-stress the mind. To keep your body fit, tuned and functioning efficiently, you have to make a determined effort to be active. You need to get off the couch and out of sedentary habits and make exercise a part of your daily life.

How does exercise affect the mind? Whether or not you are feeling stressed or low, exercise will rev up your mood and help you feel more positive. This is because exercise gets blood flowing to your brain and that can have the same effect as drugs prescribed for depression. Also, exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are hormones that produce a sense of well-being and reduce stress.

Have you ever heard of a "runner’s high"? It refers to the euphoric feeling that comes from the rush of endorphins that are released during vigorous exercise.

Does exercise help relieve emotional stress? Yes. Exercise is a great physical outlet for emotional stress. Stressful situations trigger your “fight or flight” response. Have you noticed people after they have exercised? Have you noticed runners after their run, swimmers after their swim, cyclists after their rides? You will realise how much more relaxed and confident they appear. Even their eyes and skin have a radiant glow, their movements reflect better balance in body and mind.

When you feel emotionally disturbed, overwhelmed with work or get stressed, take a few minutes to run up the stairs, skip in place or do deep breathing exercises. You will find in time you will be more refreshed and able to focus better. It works like magic.

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