"I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!" The adventures experienced by the White Rabbit were often stressful. Misplaced gloves, a missing assistant and having the roof taken off his house made running late to his appointment seem the least of his worries.

In the real world, we are faced with stressful situations on a daily basis: Work, deadlines, meetings, finding time to maintain health and neglecting to take a few minutes a day to unwind can create a sense of urgency. If the stress becomes overwhelming, the body may be unable to cope and a person will experience physical symptoms such as headaches, trouble sleeping, problems concentrating, a short temper or even an upset stomach.

 

Work and stress often go hand in hand. Beyond the physical symptoms stress can also cause procrastination, disorganization, lack of motivation and job dissatisfaction. Many businesses have a wellness program in place to assist their employees in the ongoing battle against stress. These programs can encompass everything from smoking cessation to nutritional tips, or relaxation techniques that can be performed at an employee's desk. However, despite it all, the key to unlocking health potential is you. You must first make the decision to create a stronger, healthy version of yourself and then implement the changes necessary to do so. One of the best places to begin this journey is with an exercise program.

The benefits of exercise are numerous. Exercise has been shown to improve your mood, combat chronic disease, strengthen your heart, and above all, it is a great way to relieve stress. When you are stressed, the body reacts with the "fight or flight" response.

Once activated, all systems are go and up to 1,500 chemical reactions can occur. Hormones, like adrenaline, are released. The pulse quickens, senses sharpen, digestive functions slow and the body is on full alert—you are mentally and physically preparing to fight that mammoth.

This was very useful in prehistoric times, but in most cases this response is being triggered in reaction to too many phone calls, e-mails and the pressure to perform. In these situations, we have no need to leap out of our chair and attack the next ring of the telephone. Exercise is our modern weapon to help our body remove the byproducts built up in our system as a result of these reactions.

Meditation is often recommended as a way to relax the mind, as a deeper state of awareness is said to be achieved, but this can be tough The mind wanders, checklists of items left undone float through your thoughts, and you may find yourself frustrated with the whole idea before you even begin.

A different way to achieve similar effects is through a concept called moving meditation. Exercises such as running, cycling, hiking or swimming have been described as a form of meditation. The physiological effects created by performing a consistent, repetitive pattern of movement are similar to those achieved through meditation.

At the end of your workout, you are left feeling more relaxed, calm, focused and ready to get back out there and face whatever challenges may be ahead.

One's participation in an exercise program:

• Improves health
• Brings enhanced feelings of self-esteem
• Increases a feeling of self-worth
• Improves body image
• Brings exposure to physical challenges that, when conquered, improve self-efficacy
• Carries a social acceptance that at the end of the day just makes a person feel good

Research has shown that feeling good about oneself has a direct correlation to a person's ability to handle stressful situations.

While stress is something that affects all of us at some time or another, we can arm ourselves with a body and mind that are ready to face it head on by taking control of our health.

		Kalea Delezenne is certified personal trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Delezenne works at the Downtown YMCA Wellness Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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