Reaching Fitness Goals While Dealing with Stress

I don’t care who you are! No matter how physically or mentally strong you are, no one is immune to stress. We all have challenges to deal with on a daily basis. Whether physical or mental, sometimes those challenges can take a toll on how bad we feel on the inside, which in turn causes stress.

From time to time, we all let stress get the best of us, but it doesn’t always have to be that way.

How Stress Is Harmful To Your Health

According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of us feel stressed with work. It seems as though work stress is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that we have to buckle under the pressure.

Stress consumes us on a daily basis. In 2021, stress is most likely the silent culprit that has affected peoples careers and health.  This is why it is important that we learn how to handle the stress that consumes us on a daily basis. If we don’t, stress because it takes a heavy toll on us physically.

Stress can cause us to have headaches, suffer from depression, and cause elevated blood pressure. Also, being stressed can make it hard for us to focus, be productive, and cause us to be unmotivated. So how can we combat stress?

Despite dealing with stress, there are different things we can do to deal with stress, minimize worries, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Fight Stress With Physical Activity

One of the best ways to fight stress is physical activity. Any form of exercise like running, resistance training, pickle ball, or yoga, can help relieve stress.

Physical activity can help release the feel-good endorphins which will aid in reducing stress and help to have a better mood. Physical wellness and mental health go hand in hand!

Drinking Alcohol Can Increase Stress

It may be hard to hear this one, but reducing alcohol intake when stressed will help as well. Many believe that drinking alcohol when stressed will help cope with the stress in their life.

At one point or another, we think that nothing is wrong with an occasional afternoon cocktail after a hard day or work. Many of us think that alcohol is a great way to help us unwind, relax, and feel good.

The truth is, alcohol can have the total opposite effect. Alcohol can increase negativity and anxiety and make things worse.

This is because drinking releases endorphins and boosts serotonin levels at first, but that moment is short lived. In the long term, you could end up increasing your dependence on alcohol to deal with stress. One drink can lead it several a night, with can lead to exacerbation of depression and anxiety.

Sleep Can Help Lower Stress

Get some shut eye!  Many underestimate the importance of getting some sleep. Poor sleeping patterns can make stress worse and harder to combat.

If you feel stressed, try hard to get some rest! Sleep is important when it comes to reducing stress. Good sleep can calm and restore the body and improve concentration. Being well rested can help you to cope with stress.

Improve Your Eating Habits

Try to incorporate healthy eating habits.  Eating healthier can have a huge impact on your mood and help with anxiety. You can combat stress by being as healthy as possible.

Most importantly, don’t skip meals. Skipping meals can make stress related symptoms worse.

Learn to fight the urge to use food as comfort and a way to cope with stress. This could lead to overeating and guilt. Eating a balanced and healthy diet can help us manage the physiological changes our bodies go through which are caused by stress.

Don’t Let Stress Get The Best of You

Stress is inevitable. It is something we deal with everyday. Ultimately, it’s up to us to make an effort to fight stress in a healthier way. If you do, you will be able to handle stress better with a healthier lifestyle.

Remember, rest is important. Always make sure to get some good sleep. Second, learn to limit our alcohol intake. Although it may not feel like it, alcohol can be a major factor when it comes it stress. Third, turn a new leaf and try to eat healthier. Use food as fuel to combat stress rather than comfort.

The most important thing to do is to get moving. Wether it’s something simple as walking down the block, or upping it a notch and hitting the gym, being physically active will really help to relieve stress.  Don’t give into stress. Fight stress with a healthier lifestyle.