Stress and Exercise

We were invited to give an in-service at the North Shore Monter Cancer Center a while ago, and shamelessly we agreed to go two-fold. As you may well know our passion is Strength for Life and when we can help others and introduce Strength for Life - it's a win/win.

So, since this is all fresh on my mind - let's review STRESS and how to cope with it.

One of the ways to take control of the stress in your life is through movement.  Becoming active will boost those "feel good" endorphins and reduce that stress response hormone cortisol.

Again - you may know how I feel about baby steps - so don't even go there with the excuse "I don't have time." Unacceptable - make the time. Carve out ten minutes of your day - ten minutes you were stressing or worrying about a situation in your life. Get out of your own way for 10 minutes. I promise you will feel better when you adopt a pro-active lifestyle.

First is to recognize what is the cause of your stress. Then begin to set a goal and make a plan how to reduce the stress or change the way you respond to it. I get it - some things are out of your realm but you can always change the way you respond.

Do you need to get medical clearance before engaging in an exercise program. If you are questioning that - you do... and if making a doctor's appointment is causing you stress - just think - once you do it you can start to heal.

(Do you remember - the 'eat the frog' quote - it was Mark Twain who said if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day.) So "eat the frog."

And begin... how about walking, all you need are good shoes/sneakers and outer clothing and you are off. Enjoy, no embrace the outdoors. Get moving - if it is only around the corner today - do it - can you do it twice. Challenge yourself, progression is the key to success.

If you are already active - challenge yourself to participate in an event, take a new class, learn something, practice something new. Are you Zumba ready, Power Yoga ready - want to compete in a 5K, 10K, half marathon, hike, kayak, rafting, tai chi  - so many choices. There is always the next step to take and isn't that exciting?! There are also so many activity groups to join - most are relatively inexpensive - Hiking, Biking, Running - you name it and I am confident you will find a local group to join.

Tools you may want to consider - I love them for you - a pedometer to measure your steps, a heart rate monitor to measure how challenging this work out is and some great websites with tools galore. Livestrong.com and Acefitness.org are two that come to mind. They both have fabulous information and videos on how to.... whatever you want. (breathe, yoga, specific exercises, food and exercise journals) the Internet has a plethora of helpful tools for you to use for FREE. No stress! And Cancer Connect has four wonderful guided meditations -10 minutes in length to help in the process.

Stretching/flexibility - aaahhhh! it feels so good!  Again the websites above have the "how to' and videos on specific stretches. Lie on the floor - raise your arms overhead, press your lower back into the floor and feel how good that feels and that is one! Yoga classes are all around us and they usually incorporate a silent meditation - win/win.

Neck stretches, lower back stretches, hip stretches and hamstring stretches are among my favorite to suggest because most people are tightest here. Google, google - all your answers are there.

"Take control of your consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape your daily experience of life.”  ~ Anthony Robbins