Is stress sabotaging your workout routine?
Exercise can be an incredible stress reliever for many as it boosts endorphins and releases those feel-good hormones, which will help in managing your day-to-day stresses. Sometimes the effect of stress is too much that the last thing on your mind is to exercise. Too much stress can end up sabotaging your workout routine.
When you ‘re coping with a big life event, or you ‘re ‘so behind’ at work, it becomes the only thing you can focus on. What suffers most? Your workout routine. That evening kettlebell classes or yoga class you had planned is sacrificed for more time to get the work done or winding down on the sofa binge watching Netflix.
Stress can distract your mind and overwhelm your body to the point that you are lot less likely to stick to a healthy lifestyle. Chronic stress affects your body to regulate the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone controlling the body’s blood sugar levels and thus regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, controlling salt and water balance, influencing blood pressure. Un-regulated cortisol levels will leave you feeling run-down, tired, and more subject to gaining weight, as well as making you crave more sugary and fatty food.
WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH EXERCISES DURING STRESSFUL TIMES
1. Be kind to yourself
Even though you can’t do a vigorous exercise. Right now, your body need rest and recovery. Exercise is amazing for the body, but do you know what it also is? Stress. And even though it's a good kind of stress, it still triggers spikes in cortisol.
2. Strategize your workout routine
Know that it’s about exercising smarter not harder. Engage in workout that is between 10-20 minutes duration to allow your body to recover. Look out for signs of fatigue, slow recovery from a workout like extended soreness and no energy, light-headedness, difficulty sleeping, feeling wired. This is an indication you have pushed yourself harder.
3. Take some time to assess what is causing tremendous stress in your life
Ask yourself this question? What is in my control? What thoughts or things can I let go that would allow less stress in my life?
4. Priorities you
Plan and priorities your daily activity. What time of the day do you feel efficient in getting things done? Put yourself on your list for the day. This means you are taking time to check in with yourself and engage in breaks that would help you in maximising productivity.
5. Prioritize balanced nutrition & optimize your sleep.
Ensure that you are eating three full meals per day, getting enough protein and carbohydrates in your diet, and sleeping at least 7 hours per night.
Let us know how these tips has helped you to get back to your workout routine.
